Rossville Bulldawgs
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
THURSDAY'S GAME
(Kickoff at 7 p.m.)
MANHATTAN (4-2, 2-0 Centennial) vs. TOPEKA HIGH (1-5, 0-2 Centennial)
At Hummer Sports Park
Manhattan has won four straight games since an 0-2 start to the season while Topeka High is fighting a five-game losing streak. The Indians are coming off a 51-6 Centennial League win over Emporia while Topeka High dropped a 41-12 league decision to Junction City. Manhattan junior quarterback Mclain Aslin has completed 30 of 56 passes for 362 yards and six touchdowns and carried the ball 81 times for 576 yards and seven TDs. Senior Joseph Mortensen has carried the ball 32 times for 343 yards and six TDs.
FRIDAY'S GAMES
(Allkickoffs at 7 p.m.)
Jadyn Baum, Washburn Rural
JUNCTION CITY (2-4, 2-1 Centennial) at WASHBURN RURAL (3-3, 2-0 Centennial )
Junction City is coming off a 41-12 Centennial League victory over Topeka High last Friday while Washburn Rural dropped a 14-7 decision at Millard West, Neb. Senior Jadyn Baum is one of the state's premier running backs for the Junior Blues.
Nas Williams-Brown, Topeka West
BASEHOR-LINWOOD (4-2, 4-2 UKC) vs. TOPEKA WEST (1-5, 1-5 UKC)
At Hummer Sports Park
Basehor-Linwood posted a 42-20 United Kansas Conference decision over Lansing while Topeka West dropped a 57-0 UKC decision to Spring Hill. Junior Nas Williams-Brown is a top player for the Chargers.
DE SOTO (6-0, 6-0 UKC) at SHAWNEE HEIGHTS (1-5, 1-5 UKC)
Shawnee Heights, which is in the midst of a five-game losing streak, dropped a 59-28 United Kansas Conference decision to undefeated Spring Hill last Friday while De Soto remained unbeaten with a 45-6 UKC win over Turner. Shawnee Heights senior quarterback Kolby Kutscher has completed 82 of 142 passes for 1,269 yards and 14 touchdowns while sophomore Fletcher Terrell has caught 35 passes for 757 yards and 11 touchdowns. T-Bird senior Trone Purvis has carried the ball 107 times for 562 yards and eight touchdowns.
CHASE COUNTY (4-2, 2-1 8-Man I District 3) vs. CAIR PARAVEL LATIN (4-2, 2-1 8-Man I District 3)
At Seaman
Cair Paravel is coming off a tough 54-50 district road loss at Lyndon while Chase County blanked district foe Northern Heights, 46-0. Cair Paravel senior Cole Haubold has carried the ball 53 times for 596 yards and 14 touchdowns and leads the Lions with 58 tackles (39 solo) with 11 tackles for loss. Junior quarterback Chase Hastert has completed 25 of 49 passes for 512 yards and nine touchdowns and carried the ball 46 times for 411 yards and four TDs.
Jairus Todwong, Hayden
HAYDEN (2-4, 2-0 3A District 3) at SANTA FE TRAIL (4-2, 1-1 3A District 3)
Hayden posted its second straight Class 3A District 3 win last Friday, a 42-13 romp past Perry-Lecompton, while Santa Fe Trail is coming off a 48-6 district loss to Baldwin. Sophomore Jairus Todwong leads Hayden with 494 yards and four touchdowns on 55 carries while senior Mason Becker has carried the ball 32 times for 279 yards and four rushing TDs. Junior quarterback Ryker Tetuan has completed 49 of 100 passes for 435 yards and senior Logan Power has caught 24 passes for 258 yards.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Duke Graf
DUKE GRAF, Washburn Rural
A junior cross country standout, Graf captured the boys individual title in Saturday's city championship at Shawnee Heights, leading Washburn Rural to the team crown. Graf, who placed third in the city meet as a sophomore, clocked a winning five-kilometer time of 16 minutes, 42.6 seconds as the Junior Blues won the team championship by a 17-59 margin over Seaman.
Alyson Hinck
ALYSON HINCK, Washburn Rural
Hinck, a sophomore cross country standout, earned her first city girls individual title in Saturday's city meet at Shawnee Heights while leading the Junior Blues to the team championship. After finishing as the individual runnerup as a freshman, Hinck clocked a winning five-kilometer time of 19 minutes, 32.7 seconds as Washburn Rural won the team title by a 17-40 margin over runnerup Seaman.
Julia Katzer
JULIA KATZER, Washburn Rural
Katzer, a senior tennis star, teamed with Halle Owen to win Centennial League and Class 6A regional doubles championships and cap a sweep of city, league and regional titles while leading the Junior Blues to a sweep of the team titles in the three meets. Katzer and Owen defeated teammates Annie Henderson and Kinley Ladd 6-0, 6-0 in the league meet and 6-1, 6-2 at regionals.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Hayden's girls golf team punched its ticket to next week's Class 4A state tournament with a third-place team finish in Monday's sub-state tournament at Coffeyville Country Club.
Hayden's Brooke Johnson was the individual runnerup in Monday's Class 4A sub-state tournament at Coffeyville, leading the Wildcats to a state team berth with a third-place finish. [File photo/TSN]
Brooke Johnson led the Wildcats with a runnerup individual finish, shooting an 85, as Hayden posted a team score of 393 to earn the final team berth behind Wamego (340) and Coffeyville (373).
Morgan Johnson finished 11th (95) for Hayden while Avery Becker (106) placed 19th and Emma Matthews tied for 20th (107) to round out the Wildcats' top four.
The 4A state tournament will be played next Monday and Tuesday at Turkey Creek Golf Course in McPherson.
CLASS 4A GIRLS GOLF SUB-STATE
At Coffeyville
Team scores
Wamego 340, Coffeyville 373, Hayden 393, Jefferson West 406, Independence 480, Ottawa 496, Chanute 503.
Individual results
1. Maizie Nickel, Wamego, 78; 2. Brooke Johnson, Hayden, 85; 3. (tie) Lillian Costa, Wamego, and Jessica Zimmerman, Coffeyville, 86; 5. Gentry McIntosh, Wamego, 87; 6. Addison Fechter, Jefferson West, 88; 7. (tie) Lydia Rossow, Wamego, and Avery Sells, Coffeyville, 89; 9. Madelynn Douglass, Wamego, 90; 10. Lacey Braley, Wamego, 93.
Other Hayden -- 11. Morgan Johnson, 95; 19. Avery Becker, 106; 20. (tie) Emma Matthews, 107; 22. (tie) Maura Tolin, 109; 28. Esa Herarra, 115.
Silver Lake, Rossville place two-three in 3A-1A sub-state
Silver Lake and Rossville finished second and third in Monday's Class 3A-1A sub-state tournament at Spring Creek Golf Course, earning team berths for next week's state tournament at Tallgrass Golf Club in Wichita.
Silver Lake posted a four-person score of 379 to finish four strokes behind team champion Thomas More Prep-Marian while Rossville finished third at 410.
Zara Nilsson paced Silver Lake with a third-place individual finish, shooting an 88, while Morgan Ackerly finished seventh (96), Avenley Head eighth (97) and Savanah Wende with a tie for ninth (98) to round out the Eagles' top four.
Rossville got a sixth-place finish from Elley Sanders (95) while Maya Donovan narrowly missed a top-10 finish, tying for 12th (100).
The 3A-1A state tournament will be contested next Monday and Tuesday at Tallgrass.
CLASS 3A-1A GIRLS GOLF SUB-STATE
At Spring Creek Golf Course
Team scores
TMP-Marian 375, Silver Lake 379, Rossville 410, Holton 418, Osage City 421, Nemaha Central 425, St. Marys 441, Hiawatha 443, Heritage Christian 494, Maur Hill-Mt. Academy, 554.
Individual results
1. (tie) Bree Barrow, Holton, and Brynn Schoepf, TMP-Marian, 87; 3. Zara Nilsson, Silver Lake, 88; 4. Hannah Flax, TMP-Marian, 91; 5. Emma Wasinger, TMP-Marian, 92; 6. Elley Sanders, Rossville, 95; 7. Morgan Ackerly, Silver Lake, 96; 8. Avenley Head, Silver Lake, 97; 9. (tie) Hannah Simmer, Hiawatha, and Savanah Wende, Silver Lake, 98.
Other Silver Lake -- 18. (tie) Ashley Hanna, 105.
Other Rossville -- 12. (tie) Maya Donovan, 100; 20. (tie) Reese Olejnik, 106; 25. (tie) Joan Pottorf, 109; 27. (tie) Nora Mitchell, 110; 39. Brooklyn Gama, 116.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Rossville, last season's Class 1A state runnerup, opened Distict 2 play Friday night with a 49-0 home romp past Wabaunsee.
Junior quarterback Landen Lewis ran for four touchdowns and threw for a TD as the Bulldawgs improved to 4-2 on the season.
Lewis ran for 17, 2, 9 and 9-yard TDs and hit Cale Horak for a 23-yard score while Cael Horgan opened Rossville's scoring with for a 1-yard TD and Gavin Sumner scored the final TD on a 1-yard plunge.
Austin Dohrman kicked five extra points and the Bulldawgs got a 2-point conversion on a pass from Cole Graves to Michael Cooney.
Rossville led 14-0 at the end of the first quarter and 28-0 at the half before adding 21 points in the second half to complete the shutout.
The Bulldawgs will travel to Mission Valley on Friday to face the 1-5 Vikings, who are coming off a 48-6 district loss to St. Marys
Eagles remain unbeaten with 89-0 district rout
Silver Lake continued its dominant 2026 season Friday night, improved to 6-0 Friday with a 89-0 home Class 2A District 3 rout over Maranatha Academy.
The Eagles will travel to Holton Friday night for a Big East League game.
Holton is 1-5 after a 43-0 loss to Nemaha Central.
Lions drop 54-50 district thriller to Tigers
Cair Paravel Latin gave host Lyndon a battle down to the wire Friday, falling 54-50 in an Eight-Man I District 3 game.
The Lions, now 4-2, will host Chase County in a district matchup Friday at Seaman.
Chase County is coming off a 46-0 district victory over Northern Heights.
Vikings stretch winning streak to four games
Seaman posted its fourth straight United Kansas Conference victory Friday night, rolling to a 55-0 road rout over Leavenworth.
The Vikings, 4-2 overall and in the UKC, will face a tough test Friday, going on the road to face 6-0 Spring Hill.
The Broncos are coming off of a 57-0 win over Topeka West.
Scots get back on track with 26-6 road win
Highland Park picked up its second victory of the season Friday night, posting a 26-6 Meadowlark Conference win at Kansas City-Harmon.
Now 2-4 on the year, Highland Park will be back at Hummer Sports Park on Saturday to host KC-Schlagle in a 12 p.m. Meadowlark game.
The Stallions are 2-4 on the season after a 30-26 loss to Atchison.
T-Birds fall 59-28 at Piper
Shawnee Heights fell to 1-5 overall and in the United Kansas Conference Friday night, dropping a 59-28 decision at Piper.
The T-Birds will be back at home Friday, hosting 6-0 De Soto in a conference matchup.
The Wildcats are coming off a 45-6 UKC win over Turner.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
FRIDAY'S GAMES
(Allkickoffs at 7 p.m.)
Mason Becker, Hayden
PERRY-LECOMPTON (3-2, 1-1 3A District 3) at HAYDEN (1-4, 1-0 3A District 3)
Hayden picked up its first win of the season last Friday, opening Class 3A District 3 play with a 32-21 home win over Baldwin. Perry-Lecompton picked up a district win by forfeit over KC-Bishop Ward last Friday. Hayden senior Mason Becker scored 19 of the Wildcats 31 points against Baldwin and has rushed for 171 yards and three touchdowns on 27 attempts on the season. Sophomore Jairus Todwong leads the Wildcats with 493 yards and four touchdowns on 54 carries. Junior quarterback Ryker Tetuan, who missed the Baldwin game with an injury, has completed 42 of 91 pass attempts for 376 yards and two touchdowns. Senior Landon Power has 18 catches for 174 yards.
Nas Williams-Brown, Topeka West
SPRING HILL (5-0, 5-0 UKC) at TOPEKA WEST (1-4, 1-4 UKC)
Topeka West dropped a 50-8 United Kansas Conference road decision at Leavenworth last Friday and faces another tough test this week against undefeated Spring Hill. Spring Hill stayed unbeaten last Friday with a 76-35 UKC win over Shawnee Heights. West junior Nas Williams-Brown has established himself as one of the top offensive threats in the conference.
WABAUNSEE (2-3, 0-0 1A District 2) at ROSSVILLE (3-2, 0-0 1A District 2)
Rossville is coming off a big 47-20 Big East League win at Royal Valley last Friday and opens Class 1A District 2 play this week. Bulldawg junior Landen Lewis had a hand in six touchdowns against Royal Valley, running for four TDs and passing for a pair of scores. Lewis has completed 65 of 93 passes on the season for 831 yards and nine touchdowns and has carried the ball 84 times for 572 yards and 12 TDs. Cael Horgan has 21 catches for 296 yards and a TD while Cale Horak has 13 catches for 255 yards and three TDs and Dalen Dick has 17 catches for 177 yards and two TDs. Wabaunsee is coming off an 18-14 loss to Jackson Heights.
CAIR PARAVEL (4-1, 1-0 8-Man I District 3) at LYNDON (2-2, 1-0 8-Man I District 3)
Cair Paravel Latin is off to a quick start in its return to the Eight-Man ranks, improving to 4-1 on the season and 1-0 in Eight-Man I District 3 with last week's 54-6 romp past Pleasanton. Lyndon is coming off a 56-14 rout over Northern Heights. Cair Paravel senior Cole Haubold has rushed for 453 yards and 11 touchdowns on 38 attempts while junior quarterback Chase Hastert has completed 18 of 32 passes for 353 yards and five touchdowns and rushed for 318 yards and four TDs on 36 attempts. Haubold has been in on 42 tackles (25 solo) with eight tackles for loss.
JoJo Kingcannon, Highland Park
HIGHLAND PARK (1-4, 1-2 Meadowlark) at KC-HARMON (3-2, 1-1 Meadowlark)
Highland Park returns to Meadowlark Conference play Friday night and will be looking to bounce back after dropping a 52-0 non-league decision to Blue Valley Southwest last week. The Scots are led by senior quarterback JoJo Kingcannon, who has been forced to shoulder must of the offensive load after the loss of Shawnee County Top 22 running back G'Honi Montgomery in the second game of the season.
Cale Ketter, Seaman
SEAMAN (3-2, 3-2 UKC) at LEAVENWORTH (3-2, 3-2 UKC)
Seaman stretched its winning streak to three games last Friday with a 62-0 home United Kansas Conference romp past KC-Turner. Leavenworth is also coming off a win, taking a 50-8 UKC decision over Topeka West. Seaman senior quarterback Cale Ketter has completed 94 of 146 passes for 1,546 yards and 18 touchdowns while senior Coy Barta has 34 receptions for 747 yards and seven TDs. Junior Quentin Moravec has carried the ball 68 times for 521 yards and five TDs.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Jadyn Baum
JADYN BAUM, Washburn Rural
A senior running back, Baum carried the ball 22 times for 183 yards and all three of Washburn Rural's touchdowns in Friday's 24-8 home Centennial League victory over Emporia. Baum scored touchdowns on runs of 20, 5 and 40 yards as the Junior Blues improved to 3-2 on the season and 2-0 in the league.
Mason Becker
MASON BECKER, Hayden
Becker, a senior, scored 19 of Hayden's 31 points in Friday's 31-21 home Class 3A District 3 victory over Baldwin as the Wildcats picked up their first win of the season. Becker scored on runs of 58 and 11 yards and kicked a 30-yard field goal and four extra points.
Landen Lewis
LANDEN LEWIS, Rossville
A junior quarterback, Lewis had a hand in six touchdowns in Rossville's 47-20 Big East League road victory at Royal Valley. Lewis scored on runs of 1, 5, 35 and 20 yards and also threw for 17 and 57-yard TDs as the Bulldawgs improved to 3-2 on the season.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Individual champion Brynn Spencer led Seaman to the team title in Saturday's Seaman Invitational at Shawnee North Community Center.
Spencer, a senior, clocked a winning five-kilometer time of 19 minutes, 44.37 seconds to win by more than 39 seconds while the Vikings also got a third-place finish from senior Kinley Robinson (20:39.91) and a fifth from freshman Morgan Ranson (20:47.86) en route to the team title by a 38-45 margin over Piper.
Senior Brynn Spencer captured the girls individual title to lead Seaman to the team championship in Saturday's Seaman Invitational cross country meet at Shawnee North. [File photo/TSN]
Freshman Brinley Cochran finished 15th (21:44.01) and senior Hannah Wempe 20th (22:33.86) to round out Seaman's top five scoring runners.
A split team from Washburn Rural finished fifth with 130 points while Topeka High finished sixth (167) and Shawnee Heights seventh (174).
Sophomore Clara Dillon paced Rural with an 18th-place finish (21:54.28) while junior Emma Womack placed 25th (23:11.43) to lead Topeka High and freshman Claudia Memmet finished 33rd (23:41.07) to lead Shawnee Heights.
Blue Valley Northwest won the boys team title with 23 points while Seaman's boys finished fourth as a team with 94 points as sophomore Trindon Jones led the Vikings with a ninth-place finish in 16:57.52.
A split team for Washburn Rural finished fifth (99 points), with freshman Mariner Svaty placing 16th (17:34.44) and junior Gauge Dial finishing 18th (17:37.42).
Shawnee Heights finished seventh as a team (199 points) and Topeka High eighth (213) while Topeka West had four individual runners.
Senior Andrew Schulte led Shawnee Heights with a 22nd-place finish (17:47.53) while Topeka High junior Oliver Snethen placed a team-high 28th (18:01.35) for the Trojans and senior Ezra Phelps led Topeka West with a 35th-place finish (18:11.02).
The city championships will be contested next Saturday at Shawnee Heights (9 a.m. start).
SEAMAN INVITATIONAL
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Junior quarterback Landen Lewis ran for four touchdowns and threw for a pair of scores in Friday's 47-20 non-league road romp past Royal Valley.
Landen Lewis, Rossville
Lewis ran for 1, 5, 35 and 20-yard TDs and hit Dalen Dick for a 17-yard score and Cale Horak for a 57-yard TD.
The 3-2 Bulldawgs also got 16-yard touchdown pass from Cole Graves to Kelton Lacock while Julian Goj kicked five extra points.
The Rossville defense limited Royal Valley (3-2) to six points until the Panthers scored 14 points over the final 3:42 of the game.
Rossville led 7-0 at the end of the first quarter and scored 27 points in the second quarter to take a commanding 34-0 halftime advantage.
The Bulldawgs led 40-6 at the start of the fourth quarter.
Eagles remain unbeaten with 77-6 district rout
Silver Lake improved to 5-0 Friday with a 77-6 home Class 2A District 3 win over 0-5 West Franklin.
The Eagles put the game away with a 42-point first quarter and tacked on 23 points in the second quarter to take a 65-0 halftime lead.
After a scoreless third quarter Silver Lake scored its final 12 points in the final period while West Franklin scored its only points.
Silver Lake will travel to Maranatha Academy next Friday to face a Maranatha team that is coming off a 64-0 loss to Osage City.
Lions improve to 4-1 with 54-6 district romp
Cair Paravel Latin improved to 4-1 on the season Friday night with a 54-6 Eight-Man I District 3 win over Pleasanton at Veritas Christian School in Lawrence.
The Lions will travel to Lyndon next Friday for a district matchup with the 2-2 Tigers. Lyndon is coming off a 56-14 district victory over Northern Heights.
Vikings stretch winning streak to three games
Seaman posted its third straight United Kansas Conference victory Friday night, taking a 62-0 home decision over Turner in a game that was halted early after a serious injury.
The Vikings improved to 3-2 overall and in the UKC, while Turner fell to 0-5.
Seaman will travel to Leavenworth next Friday to face the 3-2 Pioneers, who are coming off of a 50-8 win over Topeka West.
T-Birds fall to unbeaten Broncos
Spring Hill improved to 5-0 on the season with a 76-35 United Kansas Conference victory at Shawnee Heights Friday night.
Spring Hill led 29-7 at the end of the opening quarter and took a 49-19 advantage to the locker room at halftime.
The scorefest continued in the second half, with the Broncos outscoring the T-Birds by a 27-16 margin.
The 1-4 T-Birds will travel to Piper next Friday, with the Pirates coming off a 24-8 UKC loss to Basehor-Linwood.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
(Allkickoffs at 7 p.m.)
FRIDAY'S GAMES
Jadyn Baum, Washburn Rural (26)
EMPORIA (2-2, 0-1 Centennial) at WASHBURN RURAL (2-2, 1-0 Centennial)
Washburn Rural opened Centennial League play with a 34-7 win over city rival Topeka High at Hummer Sports Park last Friday while Emporia dropped a 32-6 Centennial League game against Junction City. Washburn Rural senior star running back Jadyn Baum carried the ball 34 times for 180 yards and three touchdowns against the Trojans. Emporia sophomore quarterback Cael Claibourn has completed eight of 18 passes for 234 yards and five touchdowns and rushed for 289 yards and five TDs on 26 attempts. Spartan senior Ben Collins has 414 rushing yards and five touchdowns on 75 attempts.
Jairus Todwong, Hayden
BALDWIN (3-1, 1-0 3A District 3) at HAYDEN (0-4, 0-0 3A District 3)
Hayden, which has advanced to the Class 3A state championship game three straight seasons, will open Class 3A District 3 competition Friday night. The Wildcats are coming off a 49-28 loss to St. Mary's South Side, Mo. last Friday while Baldwin opened district play with a 28-0 shutout victory over Perry-Lecompton. Hayden sophomore Jairus Todwong carried the ball 18 times for 97 yards and two touchdowns against St. Mary's while senior Logan Power had seven catches for 88 yards. Bulldawg senior quarterback Bryis Alford has completed 28 of 48 passes for 439 yards and four touchdowns and carried the ball 40 times for 345 yards and eight TDs.
Cale Ketter, Seaman
TURNER (0-4, 0-4) at SEAMAN (2-2, 2-2)
Seaman has won two straight games since an 0-2 start, including a 41-17 United Kansas Conference victory over Lansing last Friday, while Turner is still looking for its first win of the season after a 56-7 non-league loss to Leavenworth. Seaman senior quarterback Cale Ketter has completed 80 of 130 passes for 1,322 yards and 12 touchdowns while senior Coy Barta has caught 30 passes for 685 yards and five TDs. Junior running back Quentin Moravec has carried the ball 59 times for 418 yards and four TDs. Bryson Fehr has 50 tackles for the Vikings (30 solo), with six tackles for loss.
BV SOUTHWEST (0-4) vs. HIGHLAND PARK (1-3)
At Hummer Sports Park
Highland Park dropped a 12-6 Meadowlark Conference nailbiter on the road to Kansas City-Sumner Academy last Friday while Blue Valley Southwest remained winless with a 41-28 loss to traditional state power Bishop Miege. Senior JoJo Kingcannon has been the go-to guy for Highland Park, which lost senior star G'Honi Montgomery to a season-ending injury in the second game of the season. Blue Valley Southwest junior quarterback Michael Dunn has completed 64 of 129 passes for 824 yards.
Trone Purvis, Shawnee Heights
SPRING HILL (4-0, 4-0 UKC) at SHAWNEE HEIGHTS (1-3, 1-3 UKC)
Shawnee Heights will be looking to bounce back from a 58-40 United Kansas Conference road loss to Topeka West while Spring Hill remained unbeaten with a 24-0 conference win over Basehor-Linwood. T-Bird senior quarterback Kolby Kutscher has completed 46 of 85 passes for 760 yards and eight touchdowns while sophomore Fletcher Terrell has caught 17 passes for 366 yards and six TDs. Senior Trone Purvis has carried the ball 74 times for 413 yards and five touchdowns.
CAIR PARAVEL LATIN (3-1, 0-0 8-Man-I District 3) vs. PLEASANTON (2-2, 1-0 8-Man-I District 3)
At Veritas Christian, Lawrence
Cair Paravel surpassed is 2025 win total with a 54-8 romp past Rural Vista last Friday and will host Pleasanton in a Eight-Man Division I District 3 contest at Veritas Christian School in Lawrence. Pleasanton is coming off a 38-36 win over Northern Heights. Cair Paravel senior Cole Haubold has carried the ball 21 times for 331 yards and seven touchdowns while leading the Lions with 32 tackles (20 solo) and seven tackles for loss. Junior quarterback Chase Hastert has completed seven of 18 passes for 215 yards and four TDs and has 234 rushing yards and four TDs on 24 carries.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
A week after posting a nine-stroke victory in the city tournament Seaman senior Chloe Schmidtlein added the United Kansas Conference individual title by two strokes Monday at Painted Hills Golf Course in Kansas City, Kan.
Seaman senior Chloe Schmidtlein shot a 79 to win the UKC individual title by two strokes. [File photo/TSN]
Schmidtlein carded a 79 while De Soto's Mckenzie Laster and Basehor-Linwood's Aubrey Ziolo tied for second with 81s.
The Vikings finished second as a team, with Spring Hill ending Seaman's UKC championship reign by a 367-378 margin.
Seaman also got a tie for eighth from Kaitlynn Frye with a 91 while Penelope Kruesi (99) and Cara Beaton (109) rounded out the Vikings' top four.
Shawnee Heights finished sixth as a team, led by Lauryn Valdivia' tie for eighth (91).
UNITED KANSAS CONFERENCE GIRLS GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP
At Painted Hills
Team scores
Spring Hill 367, Seaman 378, Basehor-Linwood 387, De Soto 387, Piper 399, Shawnee Heights 413, Turner 578.
Individual results
1. Chloe Schmidtlein, Seaman, 79; 2. (tie) Mckenzie Laster, De Soto, and Aubrey Ziolo, Basehor-Linwood, 81; 4. (tie) Claire Fitzgerald, Basehor-Linwood, and Emily Taylor, De Soto, 84; 6. Lydia Herthel, Spring Hill, 85; 7. Kinsley Miller, Spring Hill, 90; 8. (tie) Kaitlyn Frye, Seaman; Addison Nichols, Spring Hill, and Lauryn Valdivia, Shawnee Heights, 91.
Other Seaman -- Penelope Kruesi 99, Cara Beaton 109, Lauren Glasgow 115, Leah Crawford 125.
Other Shawnee Heights -- Elsie Willmann 101, Avery Domme 101, Ashlyn Mattox 120.
Senior Kailyn Petersen finished second in Monday's Centennial League tournament to lead Washburn Rural to a runnerup team finish. [File photo/TSN]
Petersen, Junior Blues post runnerup Centennial League finishes
Washburn Rural finished second as a team to defending Class 6A state champion Manhattan in Monday's Centennial League tournament at Stagg Hills in Manhattan while Junior Blues senior Kailyn Petersen was the individual runnerup.
Individual champion Maddie Myers shot a sizzling 69 to take medalist honors by 12 strokes over Petersen (81) while the Indians won the team title by a 346-362 margin over the Junior Blues.
Rural's Reese Elliott finished fifth individually (89) while Liz Halstead finished ninth (95) and Emery Hall and LynnLee Mullins tied for 10th (97).
Senior Brooke Johnson paced Hayden with a third-place individual finish (85) as the Wildcats finished third as a team.
CENTENNIAL LEAGUE GIRLS GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP
At Stagg Hill
Team scores
Manhattan 346, Washburn Rural 362, Hayden 387, Emporia 418, Junction City 458.
Individual results
1. Maddie Myers, Manhattan, 69; 2. Kailyn Petersen, Washburn Rural, 81; 3. Brooke Johnson, Hayden, 85; 4. Taylen Koch, Emporia, 87; 5. Reese Elliott, Washburn Rural, 89; 6. Lilly Nelson, Manhattan, 91; 7. (tie) Gabby Fehr, Manhattan, and Addy Crouch, Manhattan, 93; 9. Liz Halstead, Washburn Rural, 95; 10. (tie) Emery Hall, Washburn Rural; LynnLee Mullins, Washburn Rural, and Emily Hartung, Manhattan, 97.
Other Washburn Rural -- Brynley Scott 99.
Other Hayden -- Avery Becker 100, Morgan Johnson 101, Emma Matthews 101, Esa Herarra 104, Maura Tolin 106.
Topeka High -- Braylin Selk 139, Riley McMillian 148.
Host Eagles win title in invitational
Silver Lake posted an 11-stroke team win in Monday's Silver Lake Invitational at Cypress Ridge, winning by a 384-395 margin over Holton.
The Eagles' Zara Nilsson shot an 85 to finish a stroke behind medalist Addison Fechter of Jefferson West while Silver Lake's Avenley Head finished third with an 89.
Rossville finished fifth as a team but the Bulldawgs got a sixth-place finish from Elley Sanders (97), an eighth from Maya Donovan (99) and a tie for 10th from Gloria Stebbins (102).
SILVER LAKE INVITATIONAL GIRLS GOLF
At Cypress Ridge
Team scores
Silver Lake 384, Holton 395, Jefferson West 401, Osage City 403, Rossville 413, Silver Lake 'B' 469.
Individual results
1. Addison Fechter, Jefferson West, 84; 2. Zara Nilsson, Silver Lake, 85; 3. Avenley Head, Silver Lake, 89; 4. Bree Barrow, Holton, 91; 5. Brynlee Harmon, Osage City, 93; 6. Elley Sanders, Rossville, 97; 7. Alyssa Stich, Holton, 98; 8. Maya Donovan, Rossville, 99; 9. Adalie Alley, Holton, 101; 10. (tie) Gloria Stebbins, Rossville, and Sawyer Serna, Osage City, 102.
Other Silver Lake -- Ashley Hanna 105, Savanah Wende 105, Morgan Ackerly 110, Ali Gerber 116, Alissa Thomas 116, Addy Just 117, Addison Beyer 117, Ciara Hall 119.
Other Rossville -- Joan Pottorf 115, Reese Olejnik 118.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Silver Lake, Shawnee County's lone undefeated football team, improved to 4-0 with Friday's 61-14 road win at Oskaloosa.
Kipton Kruger, Silver Lake
Eagle sophomore quarterback Kipton Kruger completed 14 of 22 passes for 224 yards and three touchdowns while junior Dominic Monhollon carried the ball five times for 48 yards and two TDs and senior Jett Ross caught five passes for 83 yards.
The Eagles jumped out to a 20-0 first-quarter lead and tacked on 27 points in the second quarter to take a 47-0 halftime cushion.
Silver Lake boosted its lead to 61-0 in the third quarter before Oskaloosa scored all of its 14 points in the fourth stanza.
The Eagles will host 0-4 West Franklin on Friday.
Cale Ketter, Seaman
Vikings post second straight rout
After an 0-2 start to the season, Seaman is back at .500 after a 41-17 United Kansas Conference road win at Lansing.
The Vikings have outscored their past two opponents by an 103-24 margin.
Seaman senior quarterback Cale Ketter completed 20 of 32 passes for 270 yards and two touchdowns while senior Coy Barta seven passes for 142 yards and a touchdown and senior Josh Brown had five catches for 78 yards and a TD.
Junior Quentin Moravec carried the ball 12 times for 90 yards and a score while senior Grady Piper had 13 carries for 33 yards and three TDs.
Seaman led 13-3 at the end of the first quarter and led 20-3 at the half before outscoring the 1-3 Lions by a 21-14 margin in the second half.
Seaman will be back at home Friday, hosting UKC foe Turner (0-4) in the Vikings' Homecoming Contest.
Landen Lewis, Rossville
Dawgs roll to 43-7 win over Reno County
Junior quarterback Landen Lewis threw for three touchdowns and ran for a TD Friday night as Rossville improved to 2-2 with a 43-7 home win over Reno County Home School.
Lewis connected with Cale Horak for 30 and 53-yard touchdown passes and hit Kelton Lacock for an 8-yard TD while also running for a 6-yard score.
The Bulldawgs also got two TDs from Cael Horgan, who ran for 59 and 1-yard scores.
Julian Goj kicked five extra points while Michael Cooney added a 2-point conversion.
Rossville jumped out to a 14-0 lead in the first quarter and scored 22 points in the second quarter to open up a 36-0 halftime time advantage before scoring its final TD in the third quarter.
The Bulldawgs will travel to 3-1 Royal Valley on Friday.
Lions improve to 3-1 with 54-6 rout
Cair Paravel Latin surpassed its 2025 victory total on Friday, improving to 3-1 with a 54-6 romp past Rural Vista at Seaman.
Back in the Eight-Man ranks after two seasons in 11-man football, the Lions are off and running this fall.
Cair Paravel will host 2-2 Pleasanton on Friday at Veritas Christian School in Lawrence.
Highland Park drops tight game at KC-Sumner
Highland Park came up on the short end of a low-scoring Meadowlark Conference game Friday night, with Kansas City-Sumner Academy taking a 12-6 home win.
Highland Park fell to 1-3 and 1-2 in the conference while the Sabres improved to 3-1.
The Scots will host 0-4 Blue Valley Southwest Friday at Hummer Sports Park.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Rossville High School will induct Tucker Horak, Greg Marney and Brian Horak into its Athletic Hall of Fame Friday night when the Bulldawgs host Reno County Home School in a 7 p.m. football game.
The Rossville Athletic Hall of Fame committee will induct those individuals who, through their dedication and achievements, have brought outstanding recognition to themselves and Rossville Jr./Sr. High School.
Rossville 2026 Hall of Fame capsules:
TUCKER HORAK -- A 2016 graduate, Horak led Rossville to back-to-back football state championships in 2014 and 2015.
Horak was a three-time All-League, All-State, and Topeka Capital-Journal all-class quarterback in 2013, 2014, and 2015. He was a two-time Small School Prep All American in 2014 and 2015, during which he was ranked 12th and 15th in the nation for 100-yard rushing games, at 13 and 10.
In 2015 Horak was the first player in Kansas history to rush and pass for 2,000 yards in a season and became Rossville’s all-time single-season rushing leader with 2,859 yards. He finished the season ranked fifth in the nation for most yards per rushing attempt with 27.2 yards per carry.
He earned All-State Top 11 recognition in 2015 and was named the Class 3A Player of the Year.
During his tenure as the Bulldawgs' starting quarterback, Horak led the team to a record of 40-1, is ranked seventh in the nation for career total offense with 12,834 yards and was invited to play in the 2016 Shrine Bowl.
He continued his football career at Pittsburg State University, playing from 2016 to 2021. He was an All-MIAA all-purpose back in 2018 and team captain during the 2020-2021 football season.
GREG MARNEY -- A 1976 graduate, Marney was a four-year baseball letterman and after 50 years is still in the Rossville Top 10 for several career and single season baseball records.
Marney and is top-three in season batting average with an average of .556.
He went on to play baseball at Washburn University from 1977 to 1980 and holds five places in Washburn's baseball season and career pitching records.
Marney then came back to Rossville Jr./Sr. High School, where he was a beloved teacher and coach for 36 years. He was the Rossville girls golf coach from 1996 to 2018 and boys golf coach from 1994 to 2019.
During this time, he coached 10 girls teams to top 10 state tournament finishes, with 12 state medalists and one state championship. He coached the boys team to eight Mid-East League team championships, 10 Mid-East League individual champions, 17 state medalists, one state runnerup, one state champion and a team state runnerup finish in 1994.
BRIAN HORAK -- A 1991 graduate, Horak was a four-year letterman and two-time baseball MVP in the 1990 and 1991 seasons, earning recognition as Class 4A-1A first- team All-State and Topeka Capital Journal 6A-1A All-Class All-State in 1990.
Horak holds many Rossville baseball records, including single-season batting average, in 1991 at .593, career leaders runs at 97, career leaders stolen bases at 79 and career leader ERA at 1.69. In football he is Rossville’s single-season interception leader and was recognized as 3A first-team All-State wide receiver in 1990. In 1991 he helped lead the baseball team to Rossville's first-ever team state championship.
He continued his baseball career at Allen County Community College from 1992 to 1993, earning All-Jayhawk Conference in 1993 before continuing his career at St Andrews College in North Carolina in the 1994 season.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
(Allkickoffs at 7 p.m.)
THURSDAY'S GAME
Fletcher Terrell, Shawnee Heights [File photo/TSN]
SHAWNEE HEIGHTS (1-2, 1-2) vs. TOPEKA WEST (0-3, 0-3)
At Hummer Sports Park
Shawnee Heights is coming off a 62-7 United Kansas Conference road loss at Seaman last Friday while Topeka West dropped a 42-14 UKC decision at Lansing. Shawnee Heights senior quarterback Kolby Kutscher has completed 39 of 68 passes for 673 yards and six touchdowns while sophomore Fletcher Terrell has caught 15 passes for 537 yards and five TDs. Senior Trone Purvis has carried the ball 45 times for 229 yards and two TDs. Junior Malachi Lee leads the T-Birds with 27 tackles (20 solo). Topeka West junior quarterback Josiah Wilkie has completed 33 of 63 passes for 372 yards and two TDs. Junior Nas Williams-Brown has rushed for 269 yards and two TDs on 25 carries while senior Micah Emerson has 11 catches for 197 yards and three TDs. Sophomore Payson Skelton leads the Chargers with 22 tackles.
FRIDAY'S GAMES
Jadyn Baum, Washburn Rural [Photo by Doug Walker/TSN]
TOPEKA HIGH (1-2, 0-0) vs. WASHBURN RURAL (1-2, 0-0)
At Hummer Sports Park
The Trojans and Junior Blues will square off Friday in the Centennial League opener for both schools. Both the Trojans and Junior Blues will be looking to bounce back from losses, with Topeka High dropping a 46-19 road decision at Wichita Southeast and Washburn Rural falling at home to undefeated Wichita Bishop Carroll, 34-23. The Junior Blues were within five points in the fourth quarter despite losing both of their senior quarterbacks, Gavin Vantuyl and Gabriel Taylor, to injuries. Rural star senior running back Jadyn Baum finished the night with 208 rushing yards and 74 and 70-yard TDs on 23 carries. Senior Courtney Sanders is a top player for Topeka High.
ST. MARY'S SOUTH SIDE, Mo. (2-2) at HAYDEN (0-3)
After three straight games on the road, Hayden wil play its home-opener against its second straight out-of-state opponent. At halftime Hayden will officially re-name its stadium Tom Stringer Family Stadium in honor of the Wildcats' legendary football coach, who passed away in 2025. Hayden is coming off a 57-12 loss at Missouri power St. Pius X, 4-0 on the season. South Side, located in St. Louis, is coming off a 42-7 loss to undefeated Jackson, Mo.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Jadyn Baum
JADYN BAUM, Washburn Rural
A senior running back, Baum carried the ball 23 times for 208 yards Friday night, including touchdown runs of 74 and 70 yards, in Washburn Rural's 34-23 non-league loss to Wichita Bishop Carroll at Bowen-Glaze Stadium.
JC Heim
JC HEIM, Washburn University
Heim, a junior linebacker, was in on 12 tackles with 1.5 tackles for loss, a forced fumble and a game-clinching pass interception in the Ichabods' 14-10 MIAA home victory over Central Oklahoma Saturday in Yager Stadium as Washburn improved to 2-1-1 on the season.
Alyson Hinck
ALYSON HINCK, Washburn Rural
A sophomore, Hinck turned in a fourth-place individual finish in a field of 87 runners in Saturday's Shufelberger Top City Classic cross country meet at Washburn Rural, clocking a five-kilometer time of 19 minutes, 26.24 seconds as the Junior Blues finished third as a team in the 13-school field.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Defending Class 6A boys state cross country champion Washburn Rural is off and running again, including a team title in Saturday's Shufelberger Top City Classic at Rural.
Junior Clayton Fink (510) posted a fifth-place individual finish to lead Washburn Rural to the boys team title in Saturday's Shufelberger Top City Classic. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Washburn Rural sophomore Alyson Hinck turned in a fourth-place girls individual finish in Saturday's Shufelberger Top City Classic as Rural finished third as a team. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
The Junior Blues put three runners in the top nine spots on the way to a decisive 50-77 victory over Blue Valley Northwest while Rural's girls also turned in a banner day, with three runners placing in the top eight individually en route to a third-place team finish behind Shawnee Mission East and Mill Valley.
"Both the boys and girls teams ran great,'' Rural coach Matt Swedlund said. "It's always fun to host and show off our beautiful home course.''
Saturday's meet is named in honor of former longtime Washburn Rural coach Scott Shufelberger, who Swedlund ran for in high school.
Junior Clayton Fink paced Rural's boys in Saturday's meet with a fifth-place individual finish among 99 runners in a five-kilometer time of 16 minutes, 29.50 seconds.
Junior Duke Graf (511) placed seventh in Saturday's Shufelberger Top City Classic for the team-champion Washburn Rural boys. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Rural, which captured the 2025 6A team championship by a single point, also got a seventh-place finish from Duke Graf (16:48.40) and a ninth-place showing from junior Jaxson Adams (16:53.30) while sophomore Julius Wood-Nichols placed 13th (17:04.90) and senior Cohen Thiessen 16th (17:13.90) to round out the Junior Blues' top five.
"The boys ran solid and are progressing nicely,'' Swedlund said.
Seaman finished ninth as a team with 186 points, led by sophomore Trindon Jones, who placed 14th (17:09.00).
Shawnee Heights got a 29th-place finish from sophomore Miles Hadley (17:40.40) on the way to an 11th-place team finish while Topeka West finished 12th as a team, getting a team-high 66th-place finish from senior Ezra Phelps (18:40.10).
Washburn Rural junior Reese Beardslee (547) finished sixth in Saturday's Shufelberger Top City Classic. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Sophomore Alyson Hinck led Washburn Rural's girls with a fourth-place individual finish among 85 competitors in 19:26.40 while junior Reese Beardslee was two spots back in sixth place (19:31.20) and sophomore Morgan Munson finished eighth (19:41.80).
Sophomore Quinn Nolte finished 29th (21:05.10) and freshman Kenadee Booher 34th (21:21.30) to round out Rural's scoring runners as Rural finished with 81 points to finish third behind SM East (58) and Mill Valley (68).
Seaman senior Brynn Spencer (496) finished ninth in Saturday's Shufelberger Top City Classic. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Seaman senior Brynn Spencer, a returning 5A state medalist, placed ninth (19:43.00) for the seventh-place Vikings.
SHUFELBERGER TOP CITY CLASSIC
GIRLS
Team scores
Shawnee Mission East 58, Mill Valley 68, Washburn Rural 81, Olathe North 101, Olathe West 105, Gardner-Edgerton 177, Seaman 185, Olathe South 197, Blue Valley Northwest 206, Junction City 225.
Individual results
1. Charlotte Hardy, SM East, 18:11.80; 2. Audrey Howard, Mill Valley, 18:22.10; 3. Lyla Speicher, SM East, 18:52.20; 4. Alyson Hinck, Washburn Rural, 19:26.40; 5. Hailey Hanna, Mill Valley, 19:30.20; 6. Reese Beardslee, Washburn Rural, 19:31.20; 7. Molly DeGregorio, Olathe West, 19:34.90; 8. Morgan Munson, Washburn Rural, 19:41.80; 9. Brynn Spencer, sr., Seaman, 19:43.00; 10. Karsyn Hitchcock, Olathe North, 19:43.60.
Other Washburn Rural -- 29. Quinn Nolte, 21:05.10; 34. Kenadee Booher, 21:21.30; 47. Avery Kennedy, 22:35.20; 69. Clara Dillon, 23:38.30;
Other Seaman -- 33. Morgan Ranson, 21:18.90; 40. Kinley Robinson, 21:56.10; 48. Brinley Cochran, 22:39.90; 64. Hannah Wempe, 23:27.30; 78. Jaydin Frickey, Seaman, 24:44.70; 80. Avery Villines, 25:07.20.
Shawnee Heights -- 79. Claudia Memmet, 24:51.40; 84. Hazel Rondash, 25:51.20; 85. Piper Geil, 28:05.60.
BOYS
Team scores
Washburn Rural 50, Blue Valley Northwest 77, Shawnee Mission East 84, Mill Valley 113, Olathe West 156, Gardner-Edgerton 158, Olathe South 163, Shawnee Mission West 172, Seaman 186, Junction City 214, Shawnee Heights 302, Topeka West 338.
Individual results
1. Jacob D'souza, Blue Valley Northwest, 15:35.20; 2. Graham Anderson, Mill Valley, 15:58.20; 3. Kallan Horveath, SM West, 16:14.60; 4. Anthony Testa, Junction City, 16:15.90; 5. Clayton Fink, Washburn Rural, 16:29.50; 6. George Clifford, SM East, 16:30.30; 7. Duke Graf, Washburn Rural, 16:48.40; 8. Andrew Kennedy, Blue Valley Northwest, 16:51.40; 9. Jaxson Adams, Washburn Rural, 16:53.30; 10. Asher Yager, Mill Valley, 16:54.50.
Other Washburn Rural -- 13. Julius Wood-Nichols, 17:04.90; 16. Cohen Thiessen, 17:13.90; 24. Bennett Wells, 17:33.50
Seaman -- 14. Trindon Jones, 17:09.00; 31. Conner Bloom, 17:41.50; 41. Emmanuel Armstead, 17:53.70; 57. Maddox Moore, 18:15.80; 62. Tate Oliva, 18:33.10; 74. Camden Dutton, 19:06.30; 78. Cody Miller, 19:10.80; 82. Nick Horton, 19:24.80; 97. Weston Kennedy, 21:14.00.
Shawnee Heights -- 29. Miles Hadley, 17:40.40; 67. Andrew Schulte, 18:41.50; 83. Deyton Coufal, 19:29.00; 95. Carter Vincent, 20:49.30; 99. Marcus Folger, 21:19.20.
Hayden -- 32. Nick Newkirk, 17:42.50.
Topeka West -- 66. Ezra Phelps, 18:40.10; 85. Westin Soto, 19:31.80; 89. Cameron Parrett, 19:43.20; 91. Rhys Green, 19:49.00; 94. Elijah Hernandez, 20:30.40; 98. Mason Gore, 21:15.70.
Gerber, Kraus pace Eagles at Hiawatha
Silver Lake senior girls standout Alessandra Gerber placed eighth individually among 64 runners in Thursday's Hiawatha Invitational, leading the Eagles to a sixth-place team finish.
Gerber clocked a five-kilometer time of 22:25.89 while Silver Lake also got a top-20 finish from freshman JessiLyn Mohler (23:59.35).
Silver Lake junior Cason Kraus placed 10th individually in the boys race (19:32.70), leading the Eagles to a runnerup team finish behind Nemaha Central (29-85).
The Eagles also got a 16th-place finish from senior Lane Ray (20:03.52) and a 19th-place showing from freshman Dayton Uhl (20:08.36).
Dawg trio posts top-20 finishes at Wabaunsee meet
Rossville seniors Payton Shaddux and Madelyn Wonnell and freshman Raiden Pollock posted top-20 individual finishes in Saturday's Jason McKinney Memorial meet, hosted by Wabaunsee.
Shaddux (25:08.79) placed 12th and Wonnell 14th (25:21.90) in the girls race while Pollock (21:40.92) finished 17th in the boys race as Rossville finished fifth as a team.
Trojans' Davis top 10 at Baldwin
Topeka High junior Easton Davis placed ninth among 66 runners in Saturday's Baldwin Invitational.
Davis clocked a time of 17:56.53 to lead the Trojans to a sixth-place team finish.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Silver Lake continued its red-hot start to the 2026 season Friday night, improving to 3-0 with a 55-21 home Big East League romp past previously-unbeaten Jefferson West.
Silver Lake sophomore quarterback Kipton Kruger (8) threw for 364 yards and five TDs in Friday's 55-21 romp past Jefferson West. [File photo/TSN]
Jeff West, now 2-1, led 14-7 at the end of the first quarter, but the rest of the night belonged to Silver Lake, which outscored the Tigers 48-7 over the final three quarters.
Silver Lake outscored Jeff West 14-0 in the second quarter to take a 21-14 halftime advantage and then broke the game open with two unanswered TDs in the third quarter and outscored the Tigers 20-7 in the fourth quarter.
Sophomore quarterback Kipton Kruger completed 22 of 34 passes for 364 yards and five touchdowns for Silver Lake, which improved to 3-0 in the Big East League race.
Eagle senior Owen Rottinghaus had seven catches for 121 yards and three TDs.
Senior JoJo Kingcannon (3) rushed for 345 yards Friday night, leading Highland Park to a 50-34 Meadowlark Conference win over Atchison. [File photo/TSN]
Kingcannon powers Scots to first win
Senior quarterback JoJo Kingcannon rushed for 345 yards on 29 carries Friday night, leading Highland Park to a 50-34 Meadowlark Conference victory over Atchison as the Scots improved to 1-2 overall and 1-1 in the conference.
Kingcannon also passed for 31 yards while Highland Park got 146 rushing yards on 13 carries from Rashon Pollard.
Highland Park will travel to Kansas City-Sumner Academy for a Meadowlark matchup next Friday.
Dawgs fall to Falcons in 20-15 thriller
Rossville took a 15-14 lead over Big East League foe Riley County with 7:05 remaining in Friday's home game before the Falcons scored the game-winning touchdown with 4:09 left to take the 20-15 win.
After a scoreless first quarter Riley County took a 7-0 lead with 7:58 left before halftime.
The Bulldawgs cut their halftime deficit to 7-3 on a 27-yard Julian Goj field goal with 1:14 left before the break.
The score remained that way until the two teams combined for 25 points in the fourth quarter.
Rossville took a brief 9-7 advantage with 10:03 remaining on a 13-yard run from senior Cael Horgan (kick failed), but Riley County answered 1:21 later on a 35-yard run to go up 14-9.
The Bulldawgs took the 15-14 lead on a 49-yard pass from junior Landen Lewis to Horgan (2-point conversion failed), before Riley County scored the game-winning TD.
Rossville, now 1-2, will be back at home Friday to host 2-1 Reno County Home School, which is coming off a 35-34 win over Hugoton.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
(Allkickoffs at 7 p.m.)
FRIDAY'S GAMES
Kolby Kutscher, Shawnee Heights
Cale Ketter, Seaman
SHAWNEE HEIGHTS (1-1, 1-1 UKC) at SEAMAN (0-2, 0-2 UKC)
Shawnee Heights is coming off a heartbreaking 37-29 overtime United Kansas Conference loss to Leavenworth while Seaman dropped a 55-20 UKC decision to Basehor-Linwood, the 2025 Class 5A runnerup. Shawnee Heights senior quarterback Kolby Kutscher has completed 27 of 43 passes for 533 yards and six touchdowns, while sophomore Fletcher Terrell has 11 catches for 284 yards and five TDs. Senior Trone Purvis has carried the ball 27 times for 177 yards and two TDs while freshman Zayis Barksdale has rushed for 151 yards and two TDs on 11 carries. Seaman senior quarterback Cale Ketter has completed 42 of 73 passes for 665 yards and seven touchdowns while senior Coy Barta has 15 catches for 306 yards and two TDs. Viking junior Quentin Moravec has carried the ball 33 times for 187 yards and a TD.
JoJo Kingcannon, Highland Park
ATCHISON (1-1, 1-0 Meadowlark) vs. HIGHLAND PARK (0-2, 0-1 Meadowlark)
At Hummer Sports Park
Highland Park dropped a 56-0 Meadowlark Conference decision to KC-Washington last Friday while Atchison is coming off a 34-24 conference win over KC-Wyandotte. Highland Park, which won the Meadowlark championship in 2025, is looking for its first win this fall after dropping a 33-6 non-league decision to USD 501 rival Topeka High in its season opener. Scot senior quarterback JoJo Kingcannon has rushed for 157 yards on 35 carries and has completed 7 of 21 passes for 62 yards and a touchdown.
Jadyn Baum, Washburn Rural
BISHOP CARROLL (2-0) at WASHBURN RURAL (1-1)
Washburn Rural picked up a 21-7 non-league home win over Olathe South last Friday while Wichita Bishop Carroll improved to 2-0 with a 49-16 win over Wichita Southeast. Senior Amir Jones set up Rural's first touchdown against Olathe South when he picked off a pass and returned it to the 2-yard-line and the Junior Blues also scored a defensive touchdown when senior Tyler Tangye recovered a fumble in the end zone. Senior running back Jadyn Baum finished with 124 rushing yards and 2 and 32-yard TDs on 22 attempts to pace Rural's offense. Carroll senior quarterback Jonah Mull has completed 18 of 22 passes for 186 yards and a TD and rushed for 142 yards and four TDs on 19 attempts while senior Cooper Herrman has 24 carries for 180 yards and a TD.
Kipton Kruger, Silver Lake
JEFFERSON COUNTY WEST (2-0, 1-0 Big East) at SILVER LAKE (2-0, 2-0 Big East)
Silver Lake improved to 2-0 with a 42-27 Big East League win over Rossville in the annual War on 24 while Jeff West stayed unbeaten with a 27-0 non-league shutout over Centralia. Silver Lake sophomore quarterback Kipton Kruger has completed 33 of 53 passes for 372 yards and four touchdowns while junior running back Dominic Monhollon has carried the ball 36 times for 281 yards and five TDs. Tiger sophomore quarterback Brixton Schwinn has completed 25 of 38 passes for 421 yards and six TDs while senior Brody Schwinn has nine receptions for 204 yards and three TDs.
Landen Lewis, Rossville
RILEY COUNTY (1-1, 1-1 Big East) at ROSSVILLE (1-1, 1-1 Big East)
Rossville is coming off a 42-27 road Big East League loss to rival Silver Lake last Friday while Riley County picked up its first victory, a 21-0 league decision over St. Marys. Rossville junior quarterback Landen Lewis has completed 30 of 43 passes for 374 yards and three touchdowns while rushing for 301 yards and six TDs on 40 carries. Senior Cael Horgan has caught 12 passes for 162 yards and a TD. Riley County senior quarterback Kadrick Woodard has rushed for 273 yards and three TDs on 42 attempts.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Jadyn Baum
JADYN BAUM, Washburn Rural
A senior running back, Baum carried the ball 22 times for 124 yards, including touchdown runs of 2 and 32 yards in Washburn Rural's first football victory of the season Friday night, a 21-7 non-league home win over Olathe South. Baum also caught two passes for 22 yards.
Tre Calhoun
TRE CALHOUN, Washburn University
Calhoun, a sophomore wide receiver out of Marietta, Ga., caught nine passes for 125 yards and three touchdowns in Washburn's 31-24 MIAA road loss at No. 4-ranked Northwest Missouri on Saturday. Calhoun became the first Ichabod receiver to score three TDs in a game since 2018.
Kipton Kruger
KIPTON KRUGER, Silver Lake
A sophomore quarterback, Kruger completed 18 of 23 passes for 173 yards and three touchdowns in Silver Lake's 42-27 home Big East League football win over rival Rossville. Kruger hit Braun Johnson for an 8-yard touchdown, Mason VanVactor for a 23-yard score and Rylan Young for a 35-yard TD as the Eagles improved to 2-0 on the year.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Topeka High's boys cross country team edged USD 501 rival Topeka West in a tiebreaker to win West's Joe Schrag Invitational Saturday at Kanza Park.
Both the Trojans and Chargers finished the meet with 65 team points, but Topeka High took the title by virtue of a higher finish by its sixth runner (28-36).
Junior Easton Davis paced High with a fifth-place individual finish in a five-kilometer time of 18 minutes, 42.17 seconds while the Trojans also got an eighth-place showing from junior Oliver Snethen (18:58.41), a 16th from junior Amir Eljammel (20:16.07), a 17th from Nicholas McDonald (20:18.76) and a 19th from senior William Toland (20:51.08).
Topeka West was led by senior Ezra Phelps' ninth-place finish (19:02.67), while sophomore Cameron Parrett finished 11th (19:24.98), sophomore Maks Rodriguez 13th (19:48.40), junior Rhys Green 14th (20:01.18) and sophomore Elijah Hernandez 18th (20:43.80).
Shawnee Heights sophomore Miles Hadley finished second individually in 18:12.62 to lead the T-Birds to a fourth-place team finish.
Heights also got a seventh-place finish from Andrew Schulte (18:51.28), and a 12th from junior Deyton Coufal (19:46.78).
Shawnee Heights' girls finished second as a team behind Lansing (25-55) as sophomore Hazel Rondash paced the T-Birds with a 10th-place finish (25:31.35).
Heights freshman Claudia Memmet finished 11th (26:00.89), sophomore Kendall Lewis 12th (26:17.09) and freshman Charlotte Richards 15th (26:34.07).
Topeka High junior Emma Womack was the top city girls finisher in eighth place (24:53.37) while High senior Victoria Reynaga was 13th (26:19.32).
Rural, Seaman compete in loaded Olathe Twilight
Washburn Rural competed in the meet's premier Blue division in Saturday's Olathe Twilight at the Olathe District Activities Center, with junior Clayton Fink and sophomore Alyson Hinck pacing the Junior Blues.
Alyson Hinck, Washburn Rural [File photo/TSN]
Fink finished 17th among 167 runners in 16:02.21 in the boys race while Hinck placed 28th among 173 competitors in the girls race (19:15.80).
Rural junior Duke Graf added a 22nd-place finish (16:13.70) and junior Jaxson Adams a 36th-place showing (16:26.70) in the boys race.
Junior Reese Beardslee finished 34th for the Rural girls (19:28.40) while sophomore Morgan Munson placed 43rd (19:53.00).
Seaman senior Brynn Spencer finished 37th in 19:31.40).
Seaman's boys competed in the Red division, with sophomore Trindon Jones placing eighth individually out of 124 runners (16:45.20), sophomore Weston Kennedy 14th (17:11.20), senior Conner Bloom 27th (17:32.60), junior Maddox Moore 45th (17:55.90) and sophomore Tate Oliva 48th (17:57.90).
Ali Gerber, Silver Lake [Submitted photo/Silver Lake cross country]
Gerber paces Eagles at Wamego
Silver Lake senior Ali Gerber finished 18th among 142 runners in the Class 3A-1A division of the Wamego Invitational in a time of 22:18.37 as the Eagles finished ninth among 18 teams.
Eagle freshman JessiLyn Mohler placed 36th (23:55.57) while Rossville senior Madilyn Wonnell finished 40th (24:18.26).
Junior Cason Kraus placed 25th among 185 runners in the 3A-1A boys race (19:33.11) while senior Lane Ray was 30th (19:41.71) as the Eagles finished seventh as a team among 17 schools.
Hayden junior Nick Newkirk competed in the 4A boys division, turning in a 22nd-place finish among 233 runners in 18:02.14.
By TODD FERTIG
TopSports.news
Silver Lake outlasted archrival Rossville 42-27 at Silver Lake Friday, exacting a measure of revenge for a one-point overtime loss a year ago and improving to 2-0 in the Big East League in the process.
Junior Dominic Monhollon rushed for 166 yards and three touchdowns in Silver Lake's 42-27 win over rival Rossville. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
Silver Lake trailed late in the second period, but scored a touchdown and then turned a last-second interception into a field goal to go up 29-21. Rossville stayed in the fight thanks to a valiant effort from quarterback Landen Lewis, but the visitors were held scoreless for the final 17 minutes while the Eagles pulled away.
Silver Lake sophomore Kipton Kruger passed for 173 yards and three touchdowns in the Eagles' 42-27 win over Rossville. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN[
Silver Lake quarterback Kipton Kruger fired a touchdown strike to receiver Mason VanVactor with 21 seconds left in the second quarter, putting the Eagles up 26-21.
On the first play following the kickoff, with little time remaining, Rossville’s Lewis attempted a pass in the flat from his own 40 yard line. VanVactor stepped into the passing lane to intercept the throw and raced to the six yard line before he was dragged down from behind.
With just seconds remaining, VanVactor kicked a 23-yard field goal to extend the halftime lead to 29-21.
“I think that switched the game,” said Silver Lake coach Logan Pegram. “I think they had a lot of momentum going in there and to see them come out and throw the ball really surprised me. Mason made a break on a comeback route, setting us up for a field goal that gave us a lot of momentum going into the half.”
Workhorse back Dominic Monhollon rushed for 166 yards and three touchdowns on 25 carries to lead Silver Lake.
“Whatever the coach needs, I got it,” Monhollon said. “He needs me to run the ball I got it. He needs me to catch the ball, I got it. I get tired, but then I always got Tyler (Rollenhagen) to come in and help me.''
Kruger completed 18 of 23 throws for 173 yards and three touchdowns to three different receivers.
Rossville junior quarterback Landen Lewis rushed for 140 yards and passed for 214 yards in the Bulldawgs' 42-27 loss to Silver Lake. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
Rossville’s Lewis put the Bulldawgs on his back and kept things interesting to the final whistle. The senior passed for 214 yards and three touchdowns, while also rushing for 140 yards and a score on 18 carries. Lewis was involved in all but 11 of Rossville’s yards from scrimmage and every one of the Bulldawgs’ points.
“It feels great going out there with my guys, putting up 42 on (Rossville), and holding them,” Monhollon said. “I feel like they are a pretty good run team, but we stopped them, held strong until the end.”
“I’ve been harping about the process all week and we never try to make one game too big. I thought the kids came out and executed after we settled down a little bit,” Pegram said about the significance of the War on 24. “Both communities are very proud. Those kids played their butts off over on the other side, and our kids played well. The nerves are there, so we were proud of the way they settled down, especially defensively in the second half.”
SILVER LAKE 42, ROSSVILLE 27
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
(Allkickoffs at 7 p.m.)
THURSDAY'S GAME
Courtney Sanders, Topeka High [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
DODGE CITY (1-0) vs. TOPEKA HIGH (1-0)
At Hummer Sports Park
Senior Courtney Sanders scored three touchdowns to lead Topeka High to a 33-6 season-opening victory over USD 501 rival Highland Park last Thursday. Sanders scored his first touchdown on an 18-yard past from senior quarterback Asher Filbeck, scored on a 40-yard run and returned a punt 94 yards for a touchdown to give the Trojans their 26-0 halftime advantage. Filbeck, making his first career start at quarterback, finished the night with a game-high 128 rushing yards on just seven attempts while his lone pass completion went for the TD to Sanders. Dodge City opened its season with a 42-20 win over Wichita West. The Red Demons are coached by former Seaman coach Glenn O'Neil.
FRIDAY'S GAMES
ROSSVILLE (1-0, 1-0 BIG EAST) at SILVER LAKE (1-0, 1-0 Big East)
Rossville opened its season with a 35-14 home Big East League win over Perry-Lecompton while Silver Lake shut out St. Marys 27-0 in a league game at St. Marys. Junior Landen Lewis, who was making his first start at quarterback for the Bulldawgs, carried the ball 21 times for 167 yards and all five Rossville touchdowns while also completing 13 of 17 passes for 159 yards. Junior Cale Horak led the Bulldawgs with seven tackles. Silver Lake sophomore quarterback Kipton Kruger completed 14 of 29 passes for 165 yards and a TD while junior Dom Monhollon carried the ball 10 times for 118 yards and two touchdowns and caught two passes for 67 yards and a TD. Senior Myles Fisher led the Eagles with 17 tackles.
JoJo Kingcannon, Highland Park [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
KC-WASHINGTON (1-0, 1-0 Meadowlark) vs. HIGHLAND PARK (0-1, 0-0 Meadowlark)
At Hummer Sports Park
Highland Park is coming off a 33-6 non-league loss to USD 501 rival Topeka High last Thursday while Knsas City-Washington rolled to a 48-0 Meadowlark Conference victory over KC-Schlagle. Highland Park scored its lone touchdown on a 27-yard touchdown pass from senior JoJo Kingcannon to senior G'Honi Montgomery. Kingcannon rushed for 64 yards on 12 carries and he passed for 62 yards and the TD. Washington opened up a 38-0 halftime advantage over the Stallions and cruised the rest of the way. Wildcat junior quarterback Benito Morrell completed 12 of 24 passes for 232 yards and four touchdowns while senior Alvin Riley rushed for 103 yards and a TD on eight carries. Highland Park will be beginning defense of its Meadowlark Conference championship.
OLATHE SOUTH (0-1) at WASHBURN RURAL (0-1)
Washburn Rural will be playing its home opener at Bowen-Glaze Stadium Friday night after dropping a 58-13 road decision to 2025 Class 4A state champion Wichita Kapaun Mt. Carmel, which is moving back up to 5A this fall. Olathe South will also be looking for its first victory after the Falcons dropped a 27-0 Sunflower League decision to Olathe Northwest in its opener.
Cale Ketter, Seaman [File photo/TSN]
BASEHOR-LINWOOD (1-0, 1-0 UKC) at SEAMAN (0-1, 0-1 UKC)
Seaman dropped a 48-34 United Kansas Conference road decision at De Soto last Friday while Basehor-Linwood took a 59-35 UKC win over Leavenworth. Seaman senior quarterback Cale Ketter completed 27 of 43 passes for 456 yards and five touchdowns while Coy Barta caught 11 passes for 267 yards and two TDs, Josh Brown had five catches for 57 yards and two TDs and Jack Becker had five grabs for 56 yards and a TD. Seniors Bryson Fehr and Bishup Liggett were in on 13 tackles for the Vikings. Basehor-Linwood junior quarterback Dane Forshey completed 7 of 7 passes for 141 yards and four touchdwns against Leavenworth while junior Gavin Mitchell carried the ball seven times for 143 yards and a touchdown.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Four Shawnee County teams earned spots in the Kansas Volleyball Association Week 1 State Rankings, released Wednesday.
Senior Lila Day (25) and Silver Lake volleyball remain No. 1 in the KVA Class 3A state rankings. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
Defending state champion Silver Lake remained No. 1-ranked in Class 3A, starting the season 9-0 and extending its winning streak to 46 straight victories.
Senior Nora Burdiek (22) and Rossville volleyball climbed one spot to No. 2 in the KVA Class 2A state rankings. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
Hayden moved up to the top spot in 4A after being ranked No. 2 in preseason while Rossville moved up a spot to No. 2 in 2A and Shawnee Heights cracked the rankings in 5A at No. 10.
KVA STATE RANKINGS
Class 6A
1. Blue Valley West
2. Mill Valley
3. Blue Valley
4. Lawrence Free State
5. Garden City
6. Olathe North
7. Olathe Northwest
8. Olathe West
9. Shawnee Mission East
10. Manhattan
Class 5A
1. St. Thomas Aquinas
2. St. James Academy
3. Blue Valley Southwest
4. Maize South
5. Great Bend
6. Bishop Carroll
7. Kapaun Mt. Carmel
8. Lansing
9. Andover Central
10. Shawnee Heights
Class 4A
1. Hayden
2. Clay Center
3. Andale
4. Bishop Miege
5. Eudora
6. Circle
7. McPherson
8. Wellington
9. Rose Hill
10. Mulvane
Class 3A
1. Silver Lake
2. Hoisington
3. Halstead
4. Beloit
5. Riley County
6. Hesston
7. Cheney
8. Wellsville
9. Holcomb
10. Holton
Class 2A
1. Ellinwood
2. Rossville
3. Jefferson County North
4. Oakley
5. Inman
6. Valley Heights
7. Moundridge
8. Mission Valley
9. Conway Springs
10. Medicine Lodge
Class 1A Division I
1. Centralia
2. Little River
3. South Gray
4. Goessel
5. Decatur Community
6. Wabaunsee
7. St. John-Hudson
8. Burden-Central
9. Rural Vista
10. Quinter
Class 1A Division II
1. Linn
2. Hanover
3. Axtell
4. Cheylin
5. Victoria
6. Marais des Cygnes Valley
7. Ingalls
8. Golden Plains
9. Argonia
10. Hutchinson-Central Christian
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Defending state champion Silver Lake retained the No. 1 spot in Class 3A in Wednesday's Kansas Volleyball Association State Rankings for the third straight week.
Junior Karys Deiter (23) and the Silver Lake Eagles retain the No. 1 spot in the KVA Class 3A state rankings. [File photo/TSN]
Silver Lake was 10-2 at the start of the week after losses to 6A Manhattan and 5A Shawnee Heights and a victory over 5A Seaman at Manhattan last Thursday.
Hayden dropped one spot to No. 2 in 4A while Rossville fell one spot to No. 3 in 2A.
Hayden placed second in 4A a year ago while Rossville was a state tournament team in 2A.
KVA STATE RANKINGS
(Records through Monday)
Class 6A
1. Blue Valley West 4-1
2. Mill Valley 11-0
3. Blue Valley 6-0
4. Lawrence Free State 12-2
5. Garden City 9-2
6. Olathe North 7-2
7. Olathe Northwest 5-4
8. Olathe West 7-3
9. Gardner-Edgerton 8-1
10. Olathe South 5-6
Class 5A
1. St. Thomas Aquinas 8-1
2. St. James Academy 8-3
3. Maize South 12-1
4. Bishop Carroll 11-2
5. Lansing 8-4
6. Great Bend 8-0
7. Blue Valley Southwest 5-4
8. Kapaun Mt. Carmel 10-3
9. Andover 10-2
10. De Soto 6-2
Class 4A
1. Bishop Miege 7-1
2. Hayden 5-1
3. Clay Center 12-2
4. Andale 9-4
5. Eudora 8-7
6. Circle 7-2
7. McPherson 5-3
8. Rose Hill 11-2
9. Paola 9-2
10. Louisburg 5-2
Class 3A
1. Silver Lake 10-2
2. Hoisington 10-0
3. Beloit 12-1
4. Halstead 9-2
5. Riley County 12-2
6. Hesston 9-3
7. Cheney 13-2
8. Royal Valley 10-1
9. Wellsville 9-3
10. Holcomb 7-1
Class 2A
1. Ellinwood 10-0
2. Inman 12-2
3. Rossville 6-3
4. Jefferson County North 9-0
5. St. Mary’s-Colgan 11-1
6. Moundridge 7-2
7. Oakley 8-3
8. Mission Valley 8-1
9. Thomas More Prep-Marian 9-6
10. Medicine Lodge 12-3
Class 1A-Division I
1. Centralia 10-0
2. South Gray 13-0
3. Goessel 10-0
4. Little River 8-2
5. Wabaunsee 7-3
6. Burden-Central 9-0
7. Decatur Community 9-3
8. Quinter 8-2
9. St. John-Hudson 8-4
10. Bishop Seabury 7-2
Class 1A-Division II
1. Linn 9-0
2. Axtell 8-2
3. Hanover 6-4
4. Ingalls 17-1
5. Cheylin 11-2
6. Marais des Cygnes Valley 13-3
7. Argonia 8-1
8. Victoria 8-3
9. Hutchinson-Central Christian 9-5
10. Dighton 5-2
By TODD FERTIG
TopSports.news
Riding a 44-match win streak, the Silver Lake volleyball team faced an up-and-coming Rossville team on the Bulldawgs’ home court Tuesday. Something had to give.
The Bulldawgs advanced to the Class 2A state tournament a year ago and started the new season ranked third by the Kansas Volleyball Association. They were energized by a chance to upset the defending Class 3A champion Eagles. But Silver Lake held off the challenge Tuesday, winning 25-23, 25-18.
Silver Lake junior Kaylee Deiter (23) goes up for a kill in Tuesday's triangular at Rossville. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
Both Rossville and Silver Lake defeated Hiawatha in earlier matches of the Rossville Lady Dawgs triangular. In the headliner, Rossville’s all-state senior Nora Burdieck hammered away at the Eagles, keeping the matches close. But in the end, Silver Lake improved to 9-0 this season and maintained its win streak, which dates back to a Sept. 11, 2025 loss to Shawnee Heights.
Silver Lake senior Jaylie Whitehead makes a return during Tuesday's volleyball triangular at Rossville, [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
“They push us to be better,” Silver Lake coach Sarah Johnson said of playing Rossville, which last year qualified for the state tournament for the first time in 20 years. “Defending a fantastic hitter like (Burdieck) really gets us out of our comfort zone and just makes us better. So (our players) love the rivalry. They love to play them, and then they love to win. And then they love to say ‘Hey, what’s up?’ to the girls across the net after the game.”
Johnson noted that injuries have complicated the first few weeks of the new season for the defending champs. In particular, both of the Eagles’ top middle blockers have been sidelined for parts of the season.
“We’ve been battling some stuff,” Johnson said. “I’m working in some people and seeing who’s gonna step up, who’s gonna make something happen out there. I’ve probably subbed more in the last couple of weeks than I did all last year.”
Rossville senior Nora Burdiek (22) spikes the ball during Tuesday's volleyball triangular at Rossville. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
Rossville battled back from a four-point deficit early in the first set Tuesday to take a 22-19 lead. But the Eagles clawed their way back for the win before claiming the second set decisively. Despite the loss to Silver Lake, the Bulldaws are off to a 6-3 start this year.
“This team is already excelling in so many ways on and off the court,” Rossville coach Dani Dodge said. “We have a lot of returning players, and even though we have a really young team, they are so disciplined and work so well together. This is such a good group because you tell them one thing and they’ll start doing it.”
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Duke Graf
DUKE GRAF, Washburn Rural
Graf, a junior cross country standout, posted a second-place individual finish in Saturday's 11-school Manhattan Invitational at Warner Park as the Junior Blues edged host Manhattan by a 56-67 margin for the team title, while Lawrence finished third with 91 points. Graf, who helped Rural win the Class 6A state title last fall, clocked a five-kilometer time of 17 minutes, 01.2 seconds.
Leah Henke
LEAH HENKE, Washburn University
A sophomore forward, Henke scored two second-half goals to lead then-No. 23-ranked Washburn University soccer to a 3-0 non-conference shutout win over Drury Wednesday night in Yager Stadium. Henke, a Wichita native, now has four goals in three-games for the 2-0-1 Ichabods after she was named the MIAA Freshman of the Year and a first-team all-conference pick in 2025.
Kolby Kutscher
KOLBY KUTSCHER, Shawnee Heights
Kutcher, a senior football standout, completed 12 of 13 passes for 221 yards and four touchdowns in his first start as Shawnee Heights' quarterback Friday night, powering the T-Birds to a 56-0 season-opening home United Kansas Conference victory over Turner at Wetter Field.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Defending Class 6A boys state champion Washburn Rural opened its 2026 cross country season with the team title in Saturday's Manhattan Invitational at Warner Park.
The Junior Blues edged host Manhattan by a 56-67 margin for the team title, while Lawrence finished third in the 11-school meet with 91 points.
Junior Duke Graf paced Washburn Rural with a second-place individual finish behind senior champion Anthony Testa of Junction City, clocking a five-kilometer time of 17 minutes, 01.2 seconds. Testa won in 16:51.9.
Sophomore Julius Wood-Nichols posted an eighth-place finish in the field of 81 runners for the Junior Blues in 17:21.1 while Rural got a 12th-place showing from junior Jaxson Adams (17:34.1), a 13th from junior Clayton Fink (17:36.3) and a 22nd from senior Cohen Thiessen (18:07.2) to round out the Junior Blues' top five.
Hayden junior Nick Newkirk placed 20th in 18:00.3 while junior Oliver Snethen paced Topeka High with a 27th-place finish (18:24.5) and senior Ezra Phelps led Topeka West with a 38th-place showing (18:50.8).
Washburn Rural's girls finished second as a team to Manhattan by a 28-54 margin, with Free State third with 63 points.
Manhattan senior Gabrielle Converse (19:03.3) and sophomore Zara Koehn (19:48.3) posted a one-two finish for the Indians in the field of 49 runners while Washburn Rural sophomore Alyson Hinck finished fourth in 20:18.6.
Rural junior Reese Beardslee finished sixth (20:26.5) while sophomore Morgan Munson placed ninth (20:48.4) to earn individual medals.
Seaman senior Brynn Spencer finished fourth in the season-opening Bobcat Invitational at Wyandotte County Park. [File photo/TSN]
Nine Vikings earn medals in season-opener
Seaman's boys posted a second-place team finish in Thursday's season-opening Bobcat Invitational at Wyandotte County Park, edging meet host and United Kansas Conference rival Basehor-Linwood by a single point (70-71) while Blue Valley Southwest won the team title with 32 points.
Sophomore Trindon Jones paced six Seaman individual medalists with an eighth-place finish, posting a five-kilometer time of 17 minutes, 36.78 seconds.
The Vikings also got a 10th-place finish from sophomore Weston Kennedy (17:54.78), a 12th from senior Conner Bloom (18:00.36), a 19th from junior Emmanuel Armstead (18:20.22), a 21st from sophomore Tate Oliva (18:26.12) and a 25th-place showing from junior Maddox Moore (18:43.10).
Shawnee Heights' boys finished ninth in the team standings as sophomore Miles Hadley earned an individual medal with an 11th-place finish (17:59.40).
Seaman girls finished tied for third with Eudora with 79 points, finishing fourth on a tiebreaker.
Blue Valley Southwest won the team title with 18 points while Piper was second, just three points ahead of Eudora and Seaman.
Senior Brynn Spencer, a returning Class 5A state medalist, paced Seaman with a fourth-place individual finish (20:47.09) while freshmen Brinley Cochran and Morgan Ransom also earned individual medals.
Cochran finished 12th (22:07.17) and Ransom placed 18th (22:34.81).
Silver Lake senior Ali Gerber opened her 2026 season with a third-place finish in Saturday's Silver Lake Invitational at Kanza Park. [Submitted photo]
Gerber third in Silver Lake Invitational
Silver Lake senior Ali Gerber posted a third-place individual finish in Saturday's Silver Lake Invitational at Kanza Park, leading the Eagle girls to a second-place team finish.
Gerber clocked a five-kilometer time of 22 minutes, 55.01 seconds to finish third behind Osage City freshmen Elizabeth Vehige (20:52.47) and Eliana Lowery (22:38.87).
Osage City won the team title by a 51-84 margin over Silver Lake.
The Eagles also got a 14th-place finish from freshman Jessilyn Mohler (24:24.29), a 23rd from sophomore Pearl Eisenbarth (26:09.59), a 26th from sophomore Adrianna Gerber (27:53.54) and a 31st from sophomore Lena Jahr (28:29.15).
Rossville seniors post top-seven finishes
Rossville seniors Payton Shaddox and Madilyn Wonnell finished sixth and seventh, respectively, in Thursday's Mission Valley Invitational girls cross country meet at Mission Valley.
Shaddox was sixth in a five-kilometer time of 25 minutes, 52.76 seconds while Wonnell was right behind in seventh place in 25:53.17.
Sophomore Keegan Pollock paced the Rossville boys with a 34th-place finish in 25:42.31.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Junior Landen Lewis, who made his first career start at quarterback, scored all five Rossville touchdowns Friday night as the Bulldawgs rallied from two early deficits to take a 35-14 home Big East League victory over Perry-Lecompton.
Junior Landen Lewis scored all five of his team's touchdowns in his first start as Rossville's quarterback Friday night, leading the Bulldawgs to a 35-14 win over Perry-Lecompton. [File photo/TSN]
The Kaws took first-half leads of 7-0 and 14-7, but the Bulldawgs, the Class 1A state runnerup a year ago, finished with 28 straight points to take control.
Rossville used 11, 3 and 6-yard Lewis touchdown runs to take a 21-14 halftime advantage before the Bulldawg QB scored from 22 and 8 yards in the third quarter to give the hosts their final 21-point margin.
Julian Goj went 5 of 5 on extra points for the Bulldawgs.
Next up for Rossville is the storied War on 24 rivaly with Silver Lake, with the Eagles hosting this year's game next Friday.
Hayden drops 22-19 nailbiter to Cardinals
Hayden traveled to Eudora Friday for a rematch of last year’s season-opener and the Cardinals were able to turn the tables from last season’s 28-6 Wildcat victory and earn a come-from-behind 22-19 win.
Eudora, ranked No. 4 in the Class 4A KFBCA preseason poll, took the opening kickoff right down the field and scored a touchdown on a 2-yard run by senior running back Grayson Moody. Following the extra point by senior kicker Caden Dunback, the Cardinals led 7-0.
Hayden, No. 2 in the 3A KFBCA poll, responded with 4-yard run by senior running back Mason Becker, who added the extra point to even the score at 7-7 with just over two minutes left in the first quarter.
The Wildcats dominated the second quarter both offensively and defensively.
Hayden took its first lead of the game on a 14-yard pass from junior quarterback Ryker Tetuan to senior wide receiver Logan Power with 5:07 left in the half (kick failed).
The Wildcat defense stepped up on the next drive as sophomore linebacker Jairus Todwong stripped the ball from Eudora senior wide receiver Preston White and returned the fumble 70 yards for a touchdown (kick failed) and Hayden took a 19-7 lead into the locker room at halftime.
While the first half saw Hayden score 19 straight points, the second half was just the opposite as Eudora’s offense and defense made the necessary adjustments.
After the Cardinals forced a punt on Hayden’s first possession, they drove down the field and scored a TD on a 7-yard run by junior running back Keelyn Duncan. Dunback’s extra point cut the Wildcat lead to 19-14 with eight minutes remaining in the third quarter.
Over the next 10 minutes of game time, both teams were able to move the ball offensively, but neither could score.
With about nine minutes remaining in the game, Eudora began a drive that led to their second touchdown of the second half when Moody scored his second touchdown of the evening on a 2-yard run. Duncan ran in the 2-point conversion, giving Eudora its 22-19 lead with 4:37 left.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
When Highland Park football coach Jermaine Monroe was approached with the possibility of renewing the Scots' rivalry with fellow USD 501 school Topeka High this season it was one of the easiest decisions he'll ever make.
"There were four different schools that were possibilities and when it was presented to me at the time and I saw the first name was Topeka High, I said, 'It's got to be that,' '' Monroe said. "I don't even remember who the other three schools were, but it's something that we always have to play each other.
"I do believe the leagues that we're in are fit for us, but we have to always play each other.''
Topeka High coach Jason Filbeck is also excited for the renewal of the rivalry, which will open the 2026 season at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at Hummer Sports Park.
"I'm not from here, but I know what it means,'' Filbeck said. "Everywhere I've been there's been a crosstown rival and I think the kids are very excited to play them. Some of them are their friends from middle school because of the way Topeka is built, so the kids are pumped up.''
Highland Park returns a strong nucleus of players from last year's team that went 5-1 on the field, with G'Honi Montgomery and JoJo Kingcannon headlining a 19-member senior class
The Scots return 10 three-year starters and two four-year starters.
G'Honi Montgomery returns for his senior season at Highland Park after earning All-Shawnee County Top 22 honors last season. [File photo/TSN]
A 5-foot-10, 180-pound running back, Montgomery earned All-Shawnee County and All-Meadowlark Conference first-team honors last fall.
Montgomery carried the ball 69 times for 704 yards (10.2 yards per carry) as a junior, caught 10 passes for 128 yards and scored 12 total touchdowns while compiling 1,268 all-purpose yards.
Senior JoJo Kingcannon will take over as Highland Park's starting quarterback this fall after starring in a variety of roles as a junior. [File photo/TSN]
Kingcannon, a 6-foot, 190-pound quarterback/defensive back, played receiver, running back and quarterback as a junior, scoring from all three positions, and will be the Scots' starting quarterback this fall.
Kingcannon received All-Shawnee County honorable mention for the Scots in 2025, catching 10 passes for 338 yards and rushing for 408 yards on 32 attempts.
Seniors Tayseaun Rouser, Tavion Johnson and Shawnee Heights transfer Zyhir Foster will be counted on to anchor Highland Park's offensive line while Jaiden Smith, Ka'Sioun Drew and Lorenzo Sullivan-Sowell are top receivers.
Defensively, senior Rayshon Pollard is a four-year starter in the defensive backfield and is joined by veterans Drew, Montgomery and Kingcannon.
A three-time all-league honoree, Pollard was in on 22 tackles last season with three sacks and two interceptions.
Topeka High's Courtney Sanders, a senior wide receiver, was a second-team All-Centennial League selection for the second straight season and received All-Shawnee County honorable mention last fall for the Trojans.
Senior Courtney Sanders is a top returner for Topeka High, earning second-team All-Centennial League recognition the past two seasons. [File photo/TSN]
A junior running back, Ricardo Dowd was a second-team All-Centennial League selection last season as a sophomore while also receiving All-Shawnee County honorable mention.
Trey Lutz, a senior defensive lineman, received All-Shawnee County honorable mention for the second straight season and also received All-Centennial League honorable mention last season.
Other top returners for Topeka High include seniors Isaac Roman-Chavez, Art Jones and Devin Ponte and juniors Jones Erby and Marion Collins.
Senior Asher Filbeck, the coach's son, and sophomore Kadyn Lucas have been battling it out in preseason for the starting quarterback spot after the graduation of Zane Smith.
FRIDAY'S GAMES
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Defending Class 3A volleyball state champion Silver Lake opened its 2026 season with a second straight Salina South tournament title Saturday, winning five straight matches to run its winning streak to 42 matches dating back to last season.
Silver Lake senior Kylie Hanni (22) was named the Most Valuable Player in Saturday's Salina South tournament as the Eagles won the team title for the second straight season. [File photo]
Silver Lake senior libero Jaylie Whitehead was named the most outstanding defensive player in Saturday's Salina South tournament. [File photo]
Senior setter Kylie Hanni was named the tournament most valuable player while senior libero Jaylie Whitehead was named the most outstanding defensive player and junior outside hitter Karys Deiter was named to the all-tournament team.
Silver Lake junior Karys Deiter (23) was named to the all-tournament team in Saturday's Salina South tournament as the Eagles won the tournament title for the second straight year. [File photo]
Silver Lake opened the tournament with a 25-13, 25-15 win over Wamego, took a 17-25, 25-18, 25-10 win over Chapman, a 25-19, 25-10 victory over Minneapolis, a 25-12, 23-25, 25-19 win over Salina South and a 25-10, 25-11 win over Salina Sacred Heart.
Rossville sophomore setter Kenna Perine eclipsed the 1,000-assist milestone for her career in Saturday's Wellsville tournament. [Rossville volleyball]
Bulldawgs' Perine surpasses 1,000-assist milestone
Rossville setter Kenna Perine surpassed the 1,000-assist milestone for her career in the first match of her sophomore season in Saturday's Wellsville tournament.
Perine now has 1,063 career assists after helping lead the Bulldawgs to a 4-1 record on the day.
The Bulldawgs beat Baldwin, Prairie View, Burlington and Humboldt before dopping a three-set match to Wellsville in the championship match.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Four Shawnee County teams earned spots in the 2026 Kansas Volleyball Association Preseason State Rankings, released Wednesday.
Silver Lake volleyball is ranked No. 1 in the KVA Class 3A preseason state rankings after posting a 46-1 record last season, including 37 straight wins to end the season. [File photo/TSN]
Defending state champion Silver Lake is No. 1-ranked in Class 3A after posting a 46-1 record last season and ending the year with 37 straight victories.
Hayden is second-ranked in 4A after posting a runnerup state finish last fall while Rossville is No. 3 in 2A and Washburn Rural No. 7 in 6A. Both the Bulldawgs and Junior Blues were state qualifiers last season.
KVA PRESEASON STATE RANKINGS
Class 6A
1. Blue Valley West
2. Mill Valley
3. Olathe Northwest
4. Blue Valley
5. Manhattan
6. Blue Valley North
7. Washburn Rural
8. Garden City
9. Olathe West
10. Lawrence Free State
Class 5A
1. St. Thomas Aquinas
2. Maize South
3. St. James Academy
4. Andover Central
5. Blue Valley Southwest
6. Great Bend
7. Kapaun Mt. Carmel
8. Bishop Carroll
9. Lansing
10. De Soto
Class 4A
1. Andale
2. Hayden
3. Clay Center
4. Bishop Miege
5. Eudora
6. McPherson
7. Circle
8. Wellington
9. Rock Creek
10. Paola
Class 3A
1. Silver Lake
2. Hoisington
3. Holton
4. Hesston
5. Halstead
6. Beloit
7. Cheney
8. Ellsworth
9. Wichita-Trinity Academy
10. Riley County
Class 2A
1. Ellinwood
2. Valley Heights
3. Rossville
4. Jefferson County North
5. Oakley
6. Hillsboro
7. Moundridge
8. Inman
9. Conway Springs
10. Thomas More Prep-Marian
Class 1A Division I
1. Little River
2. Centralia
3. Goessel
4. Wabaunsee
5. Quinter
6. South Gray
7. St. John-Hudson
8. Sylvan-Lucas
9. Greeley County
10. Rural Vista
Class 1A Division II
1. Linn
2. Hanover
3. Axtell
4. Cheylin
5. Marais des Cygnes Valley
6. Wheatland-Grinnell
7. Victoria
8. Argonia
9. Hutchinson Central Christian
10. Western Plains
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Editor's note:TopSports.news will post preview stories for all 10 Shawnee County high school football programs over the coming days, leading into the opening games of the 2026 season on Sept. 3 and 4.
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The Rossville football community will never completely forget last season's heartbreaking 35-34 loss to Sterling in the Class 1A championship game, with the Bulldawgs coming within two points and 52 seconds of a sixth state title under veteran coach Derick Hammes since 2014.
Derick Hammes has led Rossville football to a 125-30 record, seven state title games and five state championships. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
But now Hammes, who is 125-30 at the school, is counting on his Bulldawgs to use last season's disappointment as motivation this fall as they take aim on another title shot.
"We always try to go back and look at our past experiences and use that as motivation going forward,'' Hammes said. "So with this team, the kids that had a big part in our season last year, they definitely want to get back, they want another chance.
"But there's a lot of hard work that goes into that and there's a lot of folks throughout the state that want the same thing that we do. That's what makes athletics great is you don't get to just press re-wind or fast forward, you've got to go through the process all over again.''
Rossville graduated an outstanding senior class, including TopSports.news All-Shawnee County Top 22 picks Canann Mitchell, Conner Bush and Andre Johnson and Second 22 selections Jack Donovan and Cameron Miller, from last season's 11-2 team.
But the cupboard is far from bare, with the Bulldawgs returning 2025 Shawnee County defensive newcomer of the year Charlie Chance, a senior offensive lineman/defensive end, and senior all-county honorable mention honorees Cael Horgan (running back/linebacker) and Easton Webb (offensive/defensive line) and junior honorable mention picks Cale Horak (wide receiver/defensive back) and Landen Lewis (quarterback/linebacker).
Other top returners include senior wide receiver/defensive back Kelton Lacock and junior offensive lineman Cooper Meyer and junior offensive/defensive lineman Jordan Martinek.
Top newcomers include running back/linebacker Remi Droegemeier, wide receiver/defensive back Ryder Foster, wide receiver/defensive back Austin Dohrman, quarterback/defensive back Cole Graves, wide receiver/defensive back Dalen Dick, running back/linebacker Lakin Gentry, wide receiver/linebacker Michael Cooney, offensive lineman/defensive end Evan Thompson, offensive lineman/defensive end Eleazar Hersh, offensive/defensive lineman Imiah January and offensive/defensive lineman AJ Chance.
"This seems like a broken record for me, but it's always about how many are ready to play at this part of the season,'' Hammes said. "We have a core group of kids that we feel like are pretty good, but to get through our schedule, to get through league play, we're going to need more guys that are varsity-ready and that's really where our focus is right now.''
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
The Jones Project’s executive director, Damon Parker, a two-time state wrestling champion as an athlete and a five-time state champ as a coach, is always looking for new mountains to climb.
So after Parker and the Advisors Excel/The Jones Project team completed the equivalent of a climb to the top of Mount Everest over 36 hours last weekend in Steamboat Springs, Colo., they have already turned the page to the next big project: the launching of The Jones Project’s Leadership Academy, a free eight-week program open to students selected from each of the 10 Shawnee County high schools.
The Jones Project, named in honor of the late Josh Jones, a native Topekan who served as a vice-president at Advisors Excel before passing away in March of 2021, provides free mental health programming to secondary students, providing assistance to students who are struggling while emphasizing the importance of specific mental health interventions already in place at schools.
In its first four years The Jones Project has reached more than 115,000 students from 267 different stages. In 2023 TJP created an endowment for The Jones Family Scholarship, which has since provided scholarships to six Kansas high school graduates who are studying to become mental health professionals.
The 29029 climb in Steamboat, Colorado kicked off Year 5.
"It's an event where you start at the base of a mountain and you climb it to the summit and then you ride a gondola back down to the bottom and then you do that over and over and over again,'' Parker said. "This year at Steamboat we had to climb 14 times in 36 hours. If you do that then you've reached the vertical gain of Mount Everest.
"The Jones Project and Advisors Excel has had a team that's worked together on this and done it as a fundraiser every year. This is one of the two big fundraisers that keeps The Jones Project afloat. This year we've really made a push on it so that we can use this campaign to fund The Leadership Academy.''
Parker, who has coached the Rural girls to four state titles and coached the Junior Blues to the 2021 boys championship, has served as the executive director of The Jones Project since its inception after being approached by Advisors Excel co-owner Cody Foster.
"He and I had met several times and when he presented the vision he had for The Jones Project to me, I saw it as an opportunity to still work with young people but to do it on a much larger scale and to be able to help kids that were falling through the cracks. Many of them were in a truly under-served population,'' Parker said. "And it was like, 'How do you say no to the opportunity to do something like that?'
"I loved teaching, it was wonderful, and I'm still in education, I just have a bigger classroom now. Every year TJP has evolved and we've become more effective with what we've done. It took awhile to find out where those needs were and exactly what kids needed. It started off with just a mental health and suicide prevention talk, but now we do talks on bullying prevention, student leadership, culture building, you name it. We’ve talked to athletic teams in the locker room before competitions, strength and conditioning programs, and summer STUCO camps. Wherever there is a school or student organization that needs a speaker, we can help fill that gap.”
Parker said the Leadership Academy represents another major step forward.
"If we can take a couple of students from each high school in the Shawnee County area and we can give them real, actionable leadership skills, that is going to instantly impact the organization of which they are a part. Whether it's the basketball team, the debate team, or the marching band is inconsequential. We’re helping them improve their building culture because now we're taking those kids and we're teaching them how to bring up those younger kids,'' Parker said.
"And when the younger kids are learning from those older kids they realize, 'This is how you do it, this is how you treat people,’ and then they carry that forward with them throughout their remaining time in high school.”
The Leadership Academy is now taking applications and will begin meeting in mid-September.
"I'll be reaching out to basically every coaching and A.D. contact in my rolodex saying, 'Hey, we're doing this thing and it's definitely something that you want your kids to be involved in,' '' Parker said.
"We're going to start taking applications now and then the first week in September is when we're going to announce who is accepted into the program. And then we're going to get it kicked off. We will absolutely be up and rolling with students by mid-September, so they’ll want to get in their applications as soon as possible. This is the start of something HUGE here in Shawnee County.''
Students can use the website www.TopekaLeadershipAcademy.org to apply.
For more information email Coach Parker at
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
EDITOR'S NOTE: TopSports.news' list of the top Shawnee County football players to watch in 2026, based on performances in the 2025 season, will be updated as needed after practice begins on Aug. 17 and more information is received from county coaches.
RYAN AUSTIN, Washburn Rural
A 6-foot-2, 170-pound senior, Austin was named the All-Centennial League first-team place-kicker last season for the 6-4 Junior Blues. Austin also received All-Shawnee County honorable mention as a junior.
Coy Barta, Seaman [File photo/TSN]
COY BARTA, Seaman
A senior wide receiver, Barta earned second-team TopSports.News All-Shawnee County and second-team All-United Kansas Conference recognition last season for the 3-6 Vikings. Barta caught 38 passes for 642 yards and 10 touchdowns as a junior.
Jadyn Baum, Washburn Rural [Photo by Doug Walker/Special to TSN]
JADYN BAUM, Washburn Rural
A senior running back, Baum helped lead Washburn Rural to a 6-4 record and the second round of the Class 6A state playoffs last fall, earning TSN All-Shawnee County and All-Centennial League first-team recognition after carrying the ball 139 times for 1,262 yards and 10 touchdowns while averaging 9.1 yards per attempt. Baum also won a 6A state wrestling championship at 215 pounds.
Mason Becker, Hayden [File photo/TSN]
MASON BECKER, Hayden
A first-team TSN All-Shawnee County pick, Becker, a 6-foot, 160-pound senior, was a perfect 100 percent on extra-point kicks last season, was two of two on field goals, carried the ball 32 times for 438 yards, caught 13 passes for 224 yards, had nine kickoff returns for 121 yards, scored nine touchdowns and was in on 30 tackles with five pass interceptions for the 12-1 Wildcats, the Class 3A runnerup. Becker is also a basketball and baseball standout for the Wildcats.
Josh Brown, Seaman [File photo/TSN]
JOSH BROWN, Seaman
Brown, a junior wide receiver, was a second-team All-Shawnee County selection for the 3-6 Vikings last season. Brown caught 40 passes for 627 yards and eight touchdowns over the 2025 season.
STEVEN CANTRELL, Washburn Rural
A senior defensive end, Cantrell is a top returner for Washburn Rural after earning first-team All-Centennial League recognition as a junior for the 6-4 Junior Blues. Cantrell also received All-Shawnee County honorable mention.
CHARLIE CHANCE, Rossville
A senior offensive/defensive lineman, Chance was named the Shawnee County defensive newcomer of the year last season for the Bulldawgs, who posted an 11-2 record and finished second in Class 1A. Chance was in on 54 tackles with 14 tackles for loss and three sacks, earning second-team all-county and All-Big East honors.
CADE DANIELSON, Washburn Rural
Danielson, a senior outside linebacker, will be counted on to be a team leader for the Junior Blues this fall after helping Washburn Rural post a 6-4 record and reach the second round of the Class 6A playoffs in 2025.
Ricardo Dowd, Topeka High [File photo/TSN]
RICARDO DOWD, Topeka High
Dowd, a junior running back, was a second-team All-Centennial League selection last season for the 3-6 Trojans as a sophomore while also receiving All-Shawnee County honorable mention.
MYLES FISHER, Silver Lake
A senior offensive/defensive lineman, Fisher received second-team All-Shawnee County honors and All-Big East League honorable mention last season after helping Silver Lake post a 7-3 record. Fisher was in on 73 tackles for the Eagles.
Chase Hastert, Cair Paravel [Photo by Barry Benteman/Special to TSN]
CHASE HASTERT, Cair Paravel Latin
Hastert, a junior quarterback/linebacker/defensive back, is a top returner for Cair Paravel after taking over as the Lions' starting quarterback last fall. The Lions, coming off a 2-6 season, return to the Eight-Man ranks this fall after playing 11-man the past two seasons. Hastert is also a basketball and golf standout for the Lions, earning first-team All-County honors in golf.
COLE HAUBAULD, Cair Paravel Latin
Haubauld, a senior running back/linebacker, earned All-Shawnee County honorable mention as well as All-Flint Hills League recognition as an offensive guard and linebacker last season for the 2-6 Lions and is expected to play running back on offense for CPLS this fall. Cair Paravel returns to Eight-Man Division I competition this season.
CALE HORAK, Rossville
Horak, a junior, received All-Shawnee County honorable mention last season as Rossville posted an 11-2 record and finished second in Class 1A. Horak caught 15 passes for 197 yards and two touchdowns as a sophomore while also registering 21 tackles (16 solo).
CAEL HORGAN, Rossville
A senior, Horgan earned All-Shawnee County honorable mention last season as Rossville posted an 11-2 record and finished second in Class 1A. Horgan caught seven passes for 141 yards and two touchdowns as a sophomore while also registering 37 tackles (21 solo) with three interceptions.
EVAN HUNTLEY, Hayden
A 6-foot-1, 195-pound junior fullback/inside linebacker, is a top returner on both sides of the ball for a Hayden team that posted a 12-1 record and finished second in Class 3A for the third straight season last fall.
ALEX HUSTON, Seaman
A senior linebacker, Huston received All-Shawnee County honorable mention last season for the 3-6 Vikings. Huston was in on 106 tackles as a junior, including 61 solo stops.
AMIR JONES, Washburn Rural
Jones, a senior linebacker, received All-Shawnee County honorable mention last season after helping Washburn Rural post a 6-4 record and advance to the second round of the Class 6A playoffs.
Cale Ketter, Seaman [File photo/TSN[
CALE KETTER, Seaman
Ketter, a senior quarterback, was a second-team All-Shawnee County selection last season for the 3-6 Vikings. Ketter completed 136 of 231 pass attempts for 2,013 yards and 23 touchdowns in eight games.
JoJo Kingcannon, Highland Park [File photo/TSN]
JOJO KINGCANNON, Highland Park
A 6-foot, 190-pound senior quarterback/defensive back, Kingcannon played receiver, running back and quarterback as a junior, scoring from all three positions. Kingcannon received All-Shawnee County honorable mention for the Scots, who went 5-1 on the field, catching 10 passes for 338 yards and rushing for 408 yards on 32 attempts. Kingcannon earned second-team all-county recognition in basketball.
Kipton Kruger, Silver Lake [File photo/TSN]
KIPTON KRUGER, Silver Lake
A 5-foot-11, 165-pound sophomore quarterback, Kruger was named the Shawnee County offensive newcomer of the year last fall after completing 178 of 252 passes for 2,158 yards and 16 touchdowns for the Eagles. Kruger was a second-team All-Shawnee County pick and received All-Big East honorable mention. Kruger is also a basketball and baseball standout for the Eagles.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
EDITOR'S NOTE: TopSports.news' list of the top Shawnee County girls cross country runners to watch in 2026, based on performances in the 2025 season, will be updated as needed after practice begins on Aug. 17 and more information is received from county coaches.
Reese Beardslee, Washburn Rural
REESE BEARDSLEE, Washburn Rural
Beardslee, a junior, earned her first All-Shawnee County first-team honor last fall after placing fifth individually in the city meet for the team-champion Junior Blues. Beardslee also placed 11th in the Centennial League, 17th in Class 6A regional competition and 50th at state.
CLARA DILLON, Washburn Rural
A sophomore, Dillon was a first-team All-Shawnee County pick in 2025 after posting an eighth-place finish in the city meet for the team-champion Junior Blues and finishing 18th in the Centennial League meet, 21st in Class 6A regional competition and 62nd in the state meet.
Ali Gerber, Silver Lake
ALI GERBER, Silver Lake
Gerber, a senior, earned All-Shawnee County first-team honors last fall after receiving honorable mention as a sophomore. Gerber posted a sixth-place finish in Class 3A regional competition and finished 35th in the state meet. Gerber was a repeat first-team all-county pick in track this past spring after placing fourth in the 3A 400-meter dash and running on the Eagles' fifth-place 4x400 relay team.
Alyson Hinck, Washburn Rural
ALYSON HINCK, Washburn Rural
Hinck was a first-team All-Shawnee County pick last fall as a freshman after finishing second in the city meet for the team-champion Junior Blues and placing sixth in the Centennial League, eighth in Class 6A regional competition and a team-high 25th in the state meet. Hinck was also a first-team all-county pick in track, placing fifth in the 6A 800 meters.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
EDITOR'S NOTE: TopSports.news' list of the top Shawnee County volleyball players to watch in 2026, based on performances in the 2025 season and coach recommendations, will be updated as needed after practice begins on Aug. 17 and more information is received from county coaches.
Brynn Anderson, Washburn Rural [Photo by Doug Walker/Special to TSN]
BRYNN ANDERSON, Washburn Rural
Anderson, a 5-foot-11 sophomore hitter, was a first-team TopSports.news All-Shawnee County and All-Centennial League selection and named the county and league newcomer of the year last season after helping lead the Junior Blues to the Centennial League championship and a ninth straight Class 6A state tournament berth. Anderson registered 397 kills on the season along with 20 block kills, 96.3 percent serving with 29 aces and 229 digs. Anderson was also a first-team all-county pick in basketball and a state qualifier in track and field.
Nora Burdiek, Rossville [Photo by Jesse Bruner/Special to TSN]
NORA BURDIEK, Rossville
A senior hitter, Burdiek is a two-time TSN All-Shawnee County first-team selection after being named the county newcomer of the year and earning second-team honors as a freshman. Burdiek has registered 1,373 total kills in her career with 936 digs. Burdiek was a first-team All-Big East selection as a junior after helping lead the Bulldawgs to a Class 2A state berth and earning All-State Tournament and All-2A first-team recognition from the Kansas Volleyball Association. Burdiek is also a basketball and softball standout, helping Rossville advance to the state tournament in both of those sports.
Campbell Dawson, Topeka High [File photo/TSN]
CAMPBELL DAWSON, Topeka High
Dawson, a senior, earned second-team All-Shawnee County and All-Centennial League honors last fall in her third season as a varsity player. Dawson also earned second-team All-Shawnee County and All-Centennial League recognition as a sophomore. Dawson was a first-team TSN All-Shawnee County and second-team Class 6A All-State selection this past spring in softball after helping lead the Trojans to a third-place state finish.
Karys Deiter, Silver Lake [Photo by Scott Paske/KSHSAA Covered]
KARYS DEITER, Silver Lake
Deiter, a junior hitter, helped lead the Eagles to the Class 3A state championship with a 46-1 record, including a 37-match winning streak to end the 2025 season. A first-team TSN All-Shawnee County pick and second-team 3A All-State honoree, Deiter finished the year with 313 kills, a 34.7 kill percentage, 18 blocks and 253 digs. Deiter also earned All-Shawnee County first-team honors in basketball and track and field after helping lead Silver Lake to the 3A state championship in basketball and earning a 3A state medal in track.
Kylie Hanni, Silver Lake [Photo by Jesse Bruner/Special to TSN]
KYLIE HANNI, Silver Lake
A senior setter, Hanni was named the TopSports.news Shawnee County Player of the Year last season after helping lead Silver Lake to the Class 3A state championship with a 46-1 record, including 37 straight wins to end the season. Hanni was named to the 3A All-State Tournament team and All-3A first team by the Kansas Volleyball Association and was also a first-team All-Big East League pick after registering 1,181 assists, with 45 kills, 22 blocks, a 91.7 serving percentage with 33 aces and 174 digs. Hanni also helped the Eagles win 3A state titles in basketball and softball.
ADY HENRY, Rossville
Henry, a senior libero, helped Rossville reach the Class 2A state tournament last season while earning second-team TSN All-Shawnee County and third-team All-Big East League recognition.
HADLEY KILGORE, Washburn Rural
Kilgore is expected to be a key contributor for the Junior Blues at middle hitter this fall in her first season at the varsity level. Kilgore joins a Washburn Rural team that won the 2025 Centennial League championship and advanced to the Class 6A state tournament for the ninth straight season.
Clara Morgan, Shawnee Heights [Submitted photo]
CLARA MORGAN, Shawnee Heights
A senior setter, Morgan was a second-team TSN All-Shawnee County selection last season while also receiving All-United Kansas Conference honorable mention. Morgan surpassed the 1,000 assist mark for her career last season.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
EDITOR'S NOTE: TopSports.news' list of the top Shawnee County golfers to watch in 2026, based on performances in the 2025 season, will be updated as needed after practice begins on Aug. 17 and more information is received from county coaches.
KAITLYNN FRYE, Seaman
A senior, Frye earned second-team All-Shawnee County recognition last season after tying for 27th in the Class 5A state tournament with a 36-hole score of 188 (95-93). Stuke finished third in the United Kansas Conference with an 84 as the Vikings won their fourth straight conference title and tied for eighth in the city meet as Seaman won its first city team title by 14 strokes. Frye tied for seventh at regionals.
Avenley Head, Silver Lake
AVENLEY HEAD, Silver Lake
Head, a sophomore, was a second-team All-Shawnee County pick last fall as a freshman. Head posted a seventh-place finish in Class 3A-1A regional competition in 2025 before tying for 29th at state with a 36-hole total of 188 (99-89).
Brooke Johnson, Hayden
BROOKE JOHNSON, Hayden
A senior, Johnson helped Hayden post a fourth-place Class 4A team finish last fall after helping the Wildcats win the 4A state title by a 15-stroke margin as a sophomore. A second-team All-Shawnee County pick the past two seasons, Johnson tied for 23rd in the state tournament last fall with a 36-hole total of 178 (89-89).
Kailyn Petersen, Washburn Rural
KAILYN PETERSEN, Washburn Rural
Petersen, a senior, is the lone returning All-Shawnee County first-team honoree from the 2025 team after earning second-team all-county recognition as a sophomore. Petersen finished sixth in the city tournament, tied for ninth in the Centennial League and finished third in Class 6A regional competition with a 79 before placing 31st at state with a 177 36-hole total (87-90).
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
The game of golf came a lot tougher for Washburn Rural and Washburn University product Hayden Beck on Sunday than it had on Saturday when Beck set a Lake Shawnee course record with a sizzling 62 en route to opening up a four-stroke lead in the Topeka Golf Association City Stroke Play tournament.
Former Washburn Rural and Washburn University golfer Hayden Beck rolled in a birdie putt on the first playoff hole Sunday at Shawnee Country Club to win his first TGA City Stroke Play championship. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
But Beck, who will take over as Washburn Rural girls head coach this fall after serving as a Junior Blue boys assistant this past spring, battled through an up and down day to get the job done at Shawnee Country Club, draining a long birdie putt on the first playoff hole to top former Santa Fe Trail standout and Washburn Ichabod Blake Buessing to earn his first city championship.
Hayden Beck reacts after sinking his tournament-winning putt in Sunday's TGA City Stroke Play tournament at Shawnee Country Club. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
"Being a coach now and getting to help out with the team this spring, I was always telling the guys, 'You're not always going to play perfect every single time. Even on your best rounds you could do some things better,' '' Beck said.
"I look back on yesterday and maybe I missed a couple of putts and got lucky a couple of times and it all kind of evens itself out. You've just got to stick in there.''
Beck carded a final-round 73 while Buessing shot a 69 Sunday and rallied from his four-stroke deficit at the start of the round to briefly take a one-shot lead.
Beck battled back to regain a one-stroke lead before Buessing pulled even on hole No. 17 and both players remained even on the final hole with a 54-hole total of 209 to force sudden death.
Buessing narrowly missed a birdie putt before Beck came through with his biggest shot of the day to end the tournament.
"I would have liked to win it in regulation, but rolling in the putt on the playoff hole was pretty sweet,'' Beck said. "It was nice to finally get one there at the end when it counts the most.''
TGA City Stroke Play champion Hayden Beck (left) exchanges congratulations with runnerup Blake Buessing Sunday at Shawnee Country Club. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Although he came up just short of the title, Buessing was pleased with his overall performance.
"It was fun, I wouldn't have wanted it any other way,'' Buessing said. "It was back and forth all day.''
Beck said that a highlight of the tournament for him was having his high school coach, Jared Goehring, serve as his caddie. Goehring is turning over the Rural girls coaching reins to his former standout while Beck will continue to serve as a boys assistant under Goehring.
"It was awesome to have coach on the bag,'' Beck said. "That was so cool just to have him out here and do that again. It kind of took me back to high school, just having him there keeping me level-headed. That was a huge help.''
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Seaman track and field star Brody Anderson and Washburn Rural baseball star Aidan Newbery, who ended their high school careers with state championships, have been selected as TopSports.news' Shawnee County co-spring boys senior athletes of the year for the 2025-2026 season.
Brody Anderson, Seaman
Anderson claimed the 2026 Class 5A state championship in the 800 meters in a 5A meet-record time of 1 minute, 52.08 seconds.
A former state medalist in cross country, Anderson also posted second-place 5A state finishes in the 3,200 and 1,600 meters after winning the city title in the 800 and sweeping the 800, 1,600 and 3,200 titles in the United Kansas Conference meet.
Aidan Newbery, Washburn Rural
Newbery, a catcher, was named the Shawnee County and Centennial League player of the year after helping lead Washburn Rural to its first state baseball championship since 1952, capped by a 4-3 win over Free State in the 6A state championship game.
Newbery was also named to the 6A All-State second team by the Kansas Association of Baseball Coaches.
Other spring boys athlete of the year finalists
Caleb Cleverdon, Cair Paravel/Topeka High
CALEB CLEVERDON | Cair Paravel/Topeka High
SPORT: Golf
Cleverdon, who competed for Topeka High in the regular season and Cair Paravel Latin in the postseason, posted a second-place individual finish in the Class 2A state tournament with a 36-hole total of 149 (73-76) after taking a four-shot individual win in the Flint Hills League tournament with a 73. A first-team All-Shawnee County pick, Cleverdon tied for third in the Centennial League (75) and tied for first in 2A regional competition (71), finishing second in a playoff.
Brody Cooper, Shawnee Heights [Photo by Selena Rivas Favela/Special to TSN]
BRODY COOPER | Shawnee Heights
SPORT: Baseball
A standout pitcher, Cooper helped lead Shawnee Heights to the 2026 Class 5A state championship game and a runnerup finish. A two-time United Kansas Conference first-team selection, Cooper was named the conference pitcher of the year as a senior and was also named to the All-Shawnee County first team.
Jack Donovan, Rossville
JACK DONOVAN | Rossville
SPORT: Golf
Donovan was a first-team All-Shawnee County pick for the third straight season after earning a state medal for the fourth straight year (two in Class 3A, two in 2A) with a fifth-place finish in the 2A state event with a 36 hole score of 155 (79-76). Donovan finished third in a 2A regional with a 76 and was the Big East League individual medalist with a 71. Donovan, who tied for sixth in the 2025 state tournament, received All-Shawnee County recognition in three sports.
Drew Fay, Cair Paravel Latin
DREW FAY | Cair Paravel Latin
SPORT: Tennis
Fay capped an outstanding four-year high school career with a city-high fifth-place finish in the 2026 Class 3A-1A state tournament. Fay was a four-year state qualifier and a three-time state medalist, with a high finish of second place in doubles in 2025. Fay captured the city championship in No. 1 singles this past spring and also won a regional title. Fay was a three-time All-City pick.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
EMPORIA -- The West put together several scoring threats in Saturday's Kansas Shrine Bowl, out-gaining the East 277 yards to 218 and reaching East territory six times.
But the East defense had an answer for each and every test it faced, posting a 14-7 win in front of 6,035 fans at Welch Stadium while not allowing a West offensive score.
Washburn Rural product Brody Haas (42) celebrates a big defensive play in the East's 14-7 Shrine Bowl win Saturday in Emporia. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
Former Washburn Rural star Brody Haas and Rossville product Andre Johnson both played key roles in the East's defensive effort, combining for 10 tackles (eight solo) and three pass breakups while Haas also registered a sack.
"We had a lot of good scout from the offense throughout the week and it felt like every formation was something we had already kind of seen so nothing really surprised us,'' Haas said. "We dominated the line of scrimmage and were able to cover our spaces very well, so they really couldn't do anything about it because everyone was doing their job and that's how you play good football.''
The West scored its lone touchdown when Houston Bowlin (Derby) recovered a first-quarter East fumble in the end zone while the East got touchdown passes from former Shawnee Heights star Aiden Scott and Kansas City-Washington product Savion Stone, which proved to be enough for the East to cut its deficit in the series to 30-19-2.
Former Rossville star Andre Johnson (24) registered five tackles for the East in Saturday's 14-7 Shrine Bowl victory over the West. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
"We were locked in the whole week,'' Johnson said. "We were ready for this West offense all week and we proved it today and made it a goose egg. It was fun.''
The East drew first blood at the 7:03 mark of the opening quarter when Scott connected with Alec Jett (St. James Academy) for a 24-yard touchdown pass (conversion failed) after Osage City product Quenten Stark picked off a pass deep in East territory and returned it 33 yards to the West 49-yard-line.
The West took its only lead of the night on Bowlin's fumble recovery in the end zone and an extra-point kick from Brody Haskell (Augusta) with 2:54 left in the opening quarter and the West reached the 4-yard-line after recovering a fumble before Hayden Heller (Mill Valley) recorded the East's second interception of the night on the third play of the second quarter to thwart the threat.
The East scored what proved to be the game-winning touchdown with 1:13 left in the opening half on a 27-yard pass from Stone to Blake Jay (Mill Valley) after Austin Zeller (Jackson Heights) recoverd a West fumble.
Stone, who was named the East Most Valuable Player, then ran for the two-point conversion to account for what proved to be the final margin after a scoreless second half.
"During halftime our coach was saying how we were doing such a good job with if we let a bad play happen we wouldn't let two happen right in a row and we didn't stack bad plays one after the other,'' said Haas, who is headed to Benedictine.
Shawnee Heights product Aiden Scott (20) was named the East's Most Inspirational Player after Saturday's 14-7 Shrine Bowl win. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
Scott, who was voted the East's Most Inspirational Player, split time with Stone throughout the game, with Scott, a Washburn signee, completing 5 of 7 passes for 62 yards and Stone going 6 of 7 for 54 yards.
"The team had confidence in both of us back there in the backfield,'' Scott said. "The bond that we have definitely helps out. We helped each other and would could come to the sidelines and see what the other person sees and just go to work out there.
"We've both got talent, we both work hard, so it works out.''
Former Nemaha Central star Carter Hajek, who will play at Emporia State, led the East with 59 rushing yards on 13 attempts.
Salina Central product Cooper Reves was named the West MVP after rushing for a game-high 91 yards on 14 carries.
Rossville's Johnson plans to enlist in the Marines in the near future and said Saturday night's win was the perfect way to cap his football career.
"A great way to go out,'' he said. "I wanted to end it on a win. I ended on a win at the All-America Game and it's way better to go 2-0 to end my career after losing at state. It's way better.''
EAST 14, WEST 7
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Brody Haas had an outstanding senior football season for Washburn Rural, earning All-Centennial League, All-Shawnee County and All-Class 6A recognition from the Kansas Football Coaches Association.
Brody Haas, Washburn Rural
Haas registered 114 total tackles with 80 solo stops for the 6-4 Junior Blues, recording 14 tackles for loss with a sack and two pass interceptions (one for a touchdown) while recovering two fumbles.
Despite those lofty laurels the former Junior Blues linebacker still wasn't banking on getting the opportunity to play in the prestigious Kansas Shrine Bowl, but was one of Shawnee County's six original picks for the East roster
"I actually was pretty surprised,'' Haas said. "A funny story, my mom was watching (the selection show) and she said that I didn't make it. I was like, 'Oh alright,' and then I got a bunch of texts from everybody else and there were like, 'You made the Shrine Bowl.'
"I was really grateful and I'm excited to be here.''
Haas will play strong safety and maybe some linebacker for the East in Saturday's 7 p.m. Shrine game at Emporia State's Welch Stadium.
"I think (practice) is preparing us really well, and with it being a lot cooler, everyone's not over-exhausted,'' Haas said earlier the week at the East's Ottawa University training camp. "Everyone's in really good spirits, we're all having a pretty good time learning and adjusting to the playbook and everything that's being taught.''
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Washburn Rural wrestling star Landen Kocher-Munoz has been selected as TopSports.news' Shawnee County winter boys senior athlete of the year for the 2025-2026 season.
Landen Kocher-Munoz, Washburn Rural
Kocher-Munoz was named the Shawnee County wrestler of the year after winning his third Class 6A state championship in his fourth straight trip to the state finals as a senior.
Kocher-Munoz won the 144-pound title as a senior, posting a 39-4 record on the season while helping lead the Junior Blues to a third-place 6A team finish and sweeping Centennial League, regional and state individual crowns.
Other winter boys athlete of the year finalists
KaeVon Bonner, Seaman
KAEVON BONNER | Seaman
SPORT: Basketball
Bonner was named the Shawnee County co-player of the year as a senior after leading the Vikings to a 23-5 record and a third-place finish in Class 5A. Bonner was named the All-United Kansas Conference player of the year while earning all-county and All-UKC honors for the third straight season. Bonner averaged a city-high 23.3 points, 5.5 assists and 2.6 steals for the Vikings while hitting 44 3-pointers.
Jack Donovan, Rossville
JACK DONOVAN | Rossville
SPORT: Basketball
Donovan made the All-Shawnee County Top 10 for the third straight season after being named the co-newcomer of the year as a freshman. Donovan helped lead the Bulldawgs to a 17-8 record and a second straight Class 2A state tournament berth this past season. Donovan finished his prep career No. 2 on Rossville's career scoring list, with a season-high 47 points. Donovan received all-county recognition in football, golf and basketball.
Ryder Harrison, Washburn Rural
RYDER HARRISON | Washburn Rural
SPORT: Wrestling
An All-Shawnee County first-team selection, Harrison finished second in Class 6A at 120 pounds as a senior while posting a 28-7 record on the season and helping lead the Junior Blues to a third-place team finish. Harrison finished second in 6A regional competition after winning a Centennial League championship with a 5-0 record and five straight pins.
Dayne Johnson, Silver Lake
DAYNE JOHNSON | Silver Lake
SPORT: Basketball
Johnson was named the Shawnee County co-player of the year after finishing his career as Silver Lake's career leading scorer while helping lead the Eagles to a 22-7 record and a second straight third-place finish in the Class 3A state tournament. A two-time All-Shawnee County Top 10 selection and a first-team All-Big East League pick, Johnson was also a two-time All-Shawnee County Top 22 pick in football for the Eagles.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
After leading the state in passing yards last fall, former Shawnee Heights star quarterback Aiden Scott weighed some recruiting options before deciding he didn't even need to leave his hometown to find what he was looking for, signing with Washburn University.
Aiden Scott, Shawnee Heights
A two-time All-Shawnee County Top 22 pick Scott completed 197 of 319 passes for 2,991 yards and 26 touchdowns as a senior and finished his career completing 420 of 691 pass attempts for 6,491 yards and 632 touchdowns.
"I had (interest from) South Dakota and a PWO (preferred walkon) from KU and it came down to a business decision,'' said Scott, who will play quarterback for the East in Saturday's 7 p.m. Kansas Shrine Bowl at Emporia State. "It was like, 'Do I want playing time or do I want to sit for a little bit?'
"And especially when it's at home, friends and family can come watch you play and Washburn's coaching staff and facilities are top notch.''
Scott, a three-sport athlete for the T-Birds, has spent much of his summer at Washburn, getting acclimated to the college game.
"I've been there about three weeks so far and it's been fun,'' Scott said. "The upperclassmen have been really warm to me, welcoming me into the new program and helping me settle in. The freshmen are very talented guys, the whole team's very talented.
"We're growing, we're getting better, so I'm excited how the season's going to turn out.''
The decision will be made later this fall about whether or not Scott will redshirt this season, but he is preparing to play.
"They told me I'll get a shot during fall camp to be the starting guy and if I don't get that job I'll probably end up redshirting and get that extra year of experience,'' Scott said. "But my mindset is to get that starting job.''
Conner Bush, Rossville
Scott will be joined in the East backfield Saturday by another Washburn recruit, former Rossville two-time All-Shawnee County Top 22 pick Conner Bush, who helped lead the Bulldawgs to a runnerup finish in Class 1A.
Bush carried the ball 81 times for 717 yards and scored 12 touchdowns as a senior and was in on 114 total tackles, with two pass interceptions, two tackles for loss and 10 passes broken up.
Both Scott and Bush were added to the East as replacement players, with Bush getting the call about two weeks before the opening of the East camp at Ottawa University.
"My coach, coach (Derick) Hammes (an East assistant) called me and I was nothing but excited,'' Bush said. "I was just ready to play.''
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Star Silver Lake point guard Kailyn Hanni, named Miss Kansas Basketball by the Kansas Basketball Coaches Association after leading the Eagles to their second Class 3A state championship in three seasons, has been selected as TopSports.news' Shawnee County winter girls senior athlete of the year for the 2025-2026 season.
Kailyn Hanni, Silver Lake
The 5-foot-7 Hanni was also named the Shawnee County Player of the Year as a senior after helping lead the Eagles to a 28-1 record, earning all-county first-team honors for the third time.
Hanni finished her high school career with 1,404 points, 585 assists, 563 rebounds and 339 steals, finishing No. 1 on Silver Lake's all-time list in assists and steals and finishing No. 3 in career scoring.
Kailyn Hanni, Silver Lake
Hanni also set a single-game scoring record with 39 points and a single-game assist mark with 12, reaching that total on three occasions.
Hanni was a four-sport standout for Silver Lake, helping the Eagles win the 3A state softball title this past spring while also helping the Eagles win a state golf championship during her career and placing third in the 3A javelin in track and field as a senior.
The Silver Lake star will play collegiately at Fort Hays State.
Other winter girls athlete of the year finalists
Emme Blanco, Washburn Rural
EMME BLANCO | Washburn Rural
SPORT: Wrestling
Blanco posted a runnerup finish at 145 pounds in the 2026 Class 6A state tournament, helping lead Washburn Rural to a second straight third-place state team finish. Blanco, who captured Centennial League and regional championships, posted a 40-4 record on the season en route to earning a first-team berth on the All-Shawnee County team for the second straight season.
Makayla Cadet, Highland Park
MAKAYLA CADET | Highland Park
SPORT: Wrestling
A two-time All-Shawnee County first-team selection, Cadet advanced to the 190-pound Class 5A state championship match as a junior and senior, winning the 5A state title as a junior and finishing second as a senior while posting a 23-3 record on the season. Cadet also received all-county honorable mention in softball.
Rylee Dick, Rossville
RYLEE DICK | Rossville
SPORT: Basketball
Dick put together an outstanding four-year career for the Bulldawgs, leading Rossville to a Class 2A state tournament berth as a senior, the Bulldawgs' first state appearance in 20 seasons. Dick averaged 20.6 points over the 2025-2026 season, finishing her career with 1,578 points to rank No. 2 on Rossville's all-time scoring list. She received first-team All-Big East League and All-Shawnee County honors.
Maddie Gragg, Seaman
MADDIE GRAGG | Seaman
SPORT: Basketball
Gragg was a four-time All-Shawnee County and All-United Kansas Conference first-team pick for Seaman, helping the Vikings win the Class 5A state championship her sophomore season and post a runnerup state finish as a junior. Gragg averaged 12.4 points and 7.0 rebounds over the 2025-2026 campaign while hitting 32 3-pointers.
Cianna Graves, Shawnee Heights
CIANNA GRAVES | Shawnee Heights
SPORT: Wrestling
A four-time Class 5A state medalist and repeat All-Shawnee County pick, Graves saved her best for last, winning the 155-pound state championship as a senior to cap a 35-2 season. Also a United Kansas Conference and 5A regional champion, Graves helped lead Shawnee Heights to a third-place 5A team finish for the second straight season. Graves was also a standout catcher in softball, earning all-county first-team honors.
Claire LaDuke, Seaman
CLAIRE LADUKE | Seaman
SPORT: Bowling
LaDuke finished third in the 2026 Class 5A state tournament with a 688 three-game series as Seaman rolled to the team championship by a huge 358-pin margin over Emporia. A first-team All-City pick, LaDuke also helped the Vikings sweep city, United Kansas Conference and 5A regional team titles. LaDuke finished fourth in the city tournament, fifth in the UKC and third at regionals.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Seaman product Cameron Brian, Rossville's Andre Johnson and Silver Lake's Dayne Johnson have put together memories that will last a lifetime over outstanding high school athletic careers.
But now the Shawnee County stars are ready to turn their focus on a future without competitive sports after experiencing one more highlight as members of the East team for Saturday's 7 p.m. Kansas Shrine Bowl all-star football game at Emporia State's Welch Stadium.
Dayne Johnson, Silver Lake
Dayne Johnson was a three-sport star in football, basketball and baseball, helping the Eagles post a 7-3 record in football as a senior before leading Silver Lake to a second straight third-place Class 3A state finish in basketball and a runnerup 3A finish in baseball.
But after considering his college options in football and basketball, Johnson opted to concentrate on academics at Kansas State while majoring in finance.
"I was mainly getting looks for football, but I'm just not as big of a fan for football,'' Johnson said. "I'm a basketball guy and I didn't have the looks I wanted in basketball.
"I'll definitely miss it a lot, but I knew sports have to end at some point so I'll go to school and hopefully have a good time there.''
But first, Johnson, who is playing wide receiver for the East, wants to take advantage of his opportunity to play in the state's premier all-star game.
"I think it's an honor to get invited and it's for a good cause and I just think being here will be a great time,'' he said. "I've enjoyed meeting all these guys and I'm excited to play in the game.''
And as Johnson, who ended his basketball career as Silver Lake's all-time leading scorer and rebounder, prepares to close his athletic career, he's proud of what he's been able to accomplish.
"Every day I tried to work as hard as I could and max out what my results could be and I'm pretty happy with the success I had in my high school career,'' said Johnson, who received All-Shawnee County recognition in all three of his sports.
Cameron Brian, Seaman (left) and Andre Johnson, Rossville.
Brian, an all-county linebacker and a starter for Seaman's basketball team that finished third in 5A, will also concentrate on academics in college, attending the University of Kansas.
"I'm just going to school,'' Brian said. "I had a few smaller (offers in football), but this is it for me. This is the last hurrah.
"It was definitely a tough decision, just growing up playing football. It's every young football player's dream to go play in the NFL, so it's definitely sad that I'm not going to play in college but at the end of the day I think it's a better decision for me.''
Brian feels like playing in the Shrine Bowl is a perfect way to say goodbye to sports.
"It definitely was important,'' he said. "I feel like every kid in high school wants to get to the Shrine Bowl. Everbody wants to be a star of their team and come out here and play and what the Shriners do is great work, so it's always good to come out here and put this on so people can come support them.''
Rossville's Andre Johnson, a linebacker for the East, plans to serve his country after helping the Bulldawgs finish second in 1A and earn all-county honors as a senior.
"My plan is go into the Marine Corps,'' Johnson said. "My family's really big into the military and I have two brothers in the Marines so that kind of interested me right there.
"My plan was to go to college and I decided I really didn't want to go to college, so I decided to go into the Marines and serve my country.''
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Dylan Willingham, who helped lead Washburn Rural to the Class 6A state soccer championship last fall while earning Centennial League and 6A player of the year honors, has been selected as TopSports.news' Shawnee County fall boys senior athlete of the year for the 2025-2026 school year.
Dylan Willingham, Washburn Rural
Willingham, a star forward, was named the 2025-26 Gatorade Kansas Boys Soccer Player of the Year after helping lead the 19-1-1 Junior Blues to the 2025 Class 6A state championship.
Willingham set Washburn Rural's single-season scoring record with 37 goals and career record with 67 goals.
The two-time Centennial League Player of the Year was Kansas' only 2025-26 United Soccer Coaches All-American in addition to being recognized as the 6A forward of the year.
Willingham was also a four-time 6A state medalist in tennis.
Willingham will play Division I college soccer at Nebraska-Omaha.
Other fall boys athlete of the year finalists
Brody Anderson, Seaman
BRODY ANDERSON | Seaman
SPORT: Cross Country
A first-team All-Shawnee County pick in all three years he ran cross country, Anderson won his second straight city and United Kansas Conference individual titles last fall and was a Class 5A regional runnerup. He also won the prestigious Olathe Twilight Invitational, finishing ahead of runners from over 50 schools from multiple states. Anderson won the 5A 800 meters title in track while finishing second in the 3,200 and 1,600 meters.
Camden Granado, Shawnee Heights
CAMDEN GRANADO | Shawnee Heights
SPORT: Soccer/Football
Granado, a forward, was named the United Kansas Conference soccer player of the year last fall while also earning All-City first-team honors. A second-team All-State selection, Granado finished his career as Shawnee Heights soccer's all-time leading goal scorer. The T-Bird standout doubled up in football, handling place-kicking duties for Heights and earning All-Shawnee County honorable mention.
Connor Hanika, Hayden
CONNOR HANIKA | Hayden
SPORT: Football
Hanika, a quarterback, helped lead the 12-1 Wildcats to their third straight Class 3A state championship game. Hanika completed 116 of 192 passing attempts on the season for 1,810 yards and 24 touchdowns and added 138 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 21 carries. Hanika was also a standout for Hayden's basketball team and helped lead the Wildcats to a runnerup finish in the Class 4A state baseball tournament.
Dayne Johnson, Silver Lake
DAYNE JOHNSON | Silver Lake
SPORT: Football
Johnson, a wide receiver/defensive back, was an All-Shawnee County Top 22 repeat selection in 2025 after catching 75 passes for 1,053 yards and eight touchdowns and registering 59 tackles with two pass interceptions. Johnson, who earned first-team All-Big East League recognition on offense and second-team honors on defense in football, also helped lead the Eagles to a third-place Class 3A state finish in basketball and a runnerup finish in 3A baseball.
Brooks Kehoe, Washburn Rural
BROOKS KEHOE | Washburn Rural
SPORT: Cross Country
A three-time All-Shawnee County first-team honoree, Kehoe helped lead Washburn Rural to the Class 6A state team championship by a single point. Kehoe was the Centennial League champion, placed second in the city meet, 19th in Class 6A regional competition and 25th at state. Kehoe, who helped the Junior Blues win city and league titles and finish second in a tiebreaker at regionals, finished as the 6A runnerup in the 1,600-meter run in track.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
OTTAWA -- When the East team needed a late -- very late -- replacement player for this week's Kansas Shrine Bowl, the call went out to former Shawnee Heights football star AJ Gallegos.
Former Shawnee Heights standout AJ Gallegos (while jersey) will play for the East in Saturday night's Kansas Shrine Bowl in Emporia. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
And without hesitation, the 2025 All-Shawnee County Top 22 and All-United Kansas Conference first-team pick was on his way to Ottawa University.
"It was the same day that we were supposed to be down here,'' Gallegos said. "It was 11 o'clock (Sunday) morning and I got right out of church when I got the call and they were like, 'Hey, we want you to head down there.'
"I dropped everything and just came straight to Ottawa. It was pretty cool.''
Gallegos said he jumped at the opportunity to be a part of Kansas' premier all-star game.
"For sure,'' Gallegos said. "It's the Shrine Bowl! Why would I not want to play in this type of game?''
Former Shawnee Height standout AJ Gallegos (center) was an All-Shawnee County Top 22and All-UKC first-team pick last fall. [File photo/TSN]
Gallegos, a two-way starter for the 4-5 T-Birds, caught 66 passes for 935 yards and eight touchdowns as a senior and joins former Heights quarterback Aiden Scott on the East roster.
"I'm going to play with my QB, so I'm excited,'' Gallegos said. "We've had four years together and now we get one more game together.
"We thought we had our last game in October, but we're promised one more game now, so it's nice.''
Scott will play quarterback and Gallegos defensive back in Saturday's game at Emporia State's Welch Stadium, but Gallegos is hopeful of getting an opportunity to play at least one play with his former teammate.
"Maybe I'll get an opportunity to get in and play some receiver and maybe get one more post play or something,'' Gallegos said with a smile.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Editor's note: Over the coming weeks TopSports.news will take a look at all of the senior finalists for the 2025-2026 Shawnee County High School Sports Awards from the fall, winter and spring seasons, followed by the athletes of the year for all three seasons and the overall outstanding girls and boys athletes of the year.
Brody Anderson, Seaman
BRODY ANDERSON | Seaman
SPORT: Track and field
Anderson ended his high school career with a Class 5A state championship, winning the 800 meters in a 5A meet-record time of 1 minute, 52.08 seconds. A former state medalist in cross country, Anderson also posted second-place 5A state finishes in the 3,200 and 1,600 meters after winning the city title in the 800 and sweeping the 800, 1,600 and 3,200 titles in the United Kansas Conference meet.
Caleb Cleverdon, Cair Paravel/Topeka High
CALEB CLEVERDON | Cair Paravel/Topeka High
SPORT: Golf
Cleverdon, who competed for Topeka High in the regular season and Cair Paravel Latin in the postseason, posted a second-place individual finish in the Class 2A state tournament with a 36-hole total of 149 (73-76) after taking a four-shot individual win in the Flint Hills League tournament with a 73. A first-team All-Shawnee County pick, Cleverdon tied for third in the Centennial League (75) and tied for first in 2A regional competition (71), finishing second in a playoff.
Brody Cooper, Shawnee Heights [Photo by Selena Rivas Favela/Special to TSN]
BRODY COOPER | Shawnee Heights
SPORT: Baseball
A standout pitcher, Cooper helped lead Shawnee Heights to the 2026 Class 5A state championship game and a runnerup finish. A two-time United Kansas Conference first-team selection, Cooper was named the conference pitcher of the year as a senior and was also named to the All-Shawnee County first team.
Jack Donovan, Rossville
JACK DONOVAN | Rossville
SPORT: Golf
Donovan was a first-team All-Shawnee County pick for the third straight season after earning a state medal for the fourth straight year (two in Class 3A, two in 2A) with a fifth-place finish in the 2A state event with a 36 hole score of 155 (79-76). Donovan finished third in a 2A regional with a 76 and was the Big East League individual medalist with a 71. Donovan, who tied for sixth in the 2025 state tournament, received All-Shawnee County recognition in three sports.
Drew Fay, Cair Paravel Latin
DREW FAY | Cair Paravel Latin
SPORT: Tennis
Fay capped an outstanding four-year high school career with a city-high fifth-place finish in the 2026 Class 3A-1A state tournament. Fay was a four-year state qualifier and a three-time state medalist, with a high finish of second place in doubles in 2025. Fay captured the city championship in No. 1 singles this past spring and also won a regional title. Fay was a three-time All-City pick.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Editor's note: Over the coming weeks TopSports.news will take a look at all of the senior finalists for the 2025-2026 Shawnee County High School Sports Awards from the fall, winter and spring seasons, followed by the athletes of the year for all three seasons and the overall outstanding girls and boys athletes of the year.
KaeVon Bonner, Seaman
KAEVON BONNER | Seaman
SPORT: Basketball
Bonner was named the Shawnee County co-player of the year as a senior after leading the Vikings to a 23-5 record and a third-place finish in Class 5A. Bonner was named the All-United Kansas Conference player of the year while earning all-county and All-UKC honors for the third straight season. Bonner averaged a city-high 23.3 points, 5.5 assists and 2.6 steals for the Vikings while hitting 44 3-pointers.
Jack Donovan, Rossville
JACK DONOVAN | Rossville
SPORT: Basketball
Donovan made the All-Shawnee County Top 10 for the third straight season after being named the co-newcomer of the year as a freshman. Donovan helped lead the Bulldawgs to a 17-8 record and a second straight Class 2A state tournament berth this past season. Donovan finished his prep career No. 2 on Rossville's career scoring list, with a season-high 47 points. Donovan received all-county recognition in football, golf and basketball.
Ryder Harrison, Washburn Rural
RYDER HARRISON | Washburn Rural
SPORT: Wrestling
An All-Shawnee County first-team selection, Harrison finished second in Class 6A at 120 pounds as a senior while posting a 28-7 record on the season and helping lead the Junior Blues to a third-place team finish. Harrison finished second in 6A regional competition after winning a Centennial League championship with a 5-0 record and five straight pins.
Dayne Johnson, Silver Lake
DAYNE JOHNSON | Silver Lake
SPORT: Basketball
Johnson was named the Shawnee County co-player of the year after finishing his career as Silver Lake's career leading scorer while helping lead the Eagles to a 22-7 record and a second straight third-place finish in the Class 3A state tournament. A two-time All-Shawnee County Top 10 selection and a first-team All-Big East League pick, Johnson was also a two-time All-Shawnee County Top 22 pick in football for the Eagles.
Landen Kocher-Munoz, Washburn Rural
LANDEN KOCHER-MUNOZ | Washburn Rural
SPORT: Wrestling
Kocher-Munoz was named the Shawnee County wrestler of the year after winning his third Class 6A state championship in his fourth straight trip to the state finals. Kocher-Munoz won the 144-pound title as a senior, posting a 39-4 record on the season while helping lead the Junior Blues to a third-place 6A team finish and sweeping Centennial League, regional and state individual crowns.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Editor's note: Over the coming weeks TopSports.news will take a look at all of the senior finalists for the 2025-2026 Shawnee County High School Sports Awards from the fall, winter and spring seasons, followed by the athletes of the year for all three seasons and the overall outstanding girls and boys athletes of the year.
Emme Blanco, Washburn Rural
EMME BLANCO | Washburn Rural
SPORT: Wrestling
Blanco posted a runnerup finish at 145 pounds in the 2026 Class 6A state tournament, helping lead Washburn Rural to a second straight third-place state team finish. Blanco, who captured Centennial League and regional championships, posted a 40-4 record on the season en route to earning a first-team berth on the All-Shawnee County team for the second straight season.
Makayla Cadet, Highland Park
MAKAYLA CADET | Highland Park
SPORT: Wrestling
A two-time All-Shawnee County first-team selection, Cadet advanced to the 190-pound Class 5A state championship match as a junior and senior, winning the 5A state title as a junior and finishing second as a senior while posting a 23-3 record on the season. Cadet also received all-county honorable mention in softball.
Rylee Dick, Rossville
RYLEE DICK | Rossville
SPORT: Basketball
Dick put together an outstanding four-year career for the Bulldawgs, leading Rossville to a Class 2A state tournament berth as a senior, the Bulldawgs' first state appearance in 20 seasons. Dick averaged 20.6 points over the 2025-2026 season, finishing her career with 1,578 points to rank No. 2 on Rossville's all-time scoring list. She received first-team All-Big East League and All-Shawnee County honors.
Maddie Gragg, Seaman
MADDIE GRAGG | Seaman
SPORT: Basketball
Gragg was a four-time All-Shawnee County and All-United Kansas Conference first-team pick for Seaman, helping the Vikings win the Class 5A state championship her sophomore season and post a runnerup state finish as a junior. Gragg averaged 12.4 points and 7.0 rebounds over the 2025-2026 campaign while hitting 32 3-pointers.
Cianna Graves, Shawnee Heights
CIANNA GRAVES | Shawnee Heights
SPORT: Wrestling
A four-time Class 5A state medalist and repeat All-Shawnee County pick, Graves saved her best for last, winning the 155-pound state championship as a senior to cap a 35-2 season. Also a United Kansas Conference and 5A regional champion, Graves helped lead Shawnee Heights to a third-place 5A team finish for the second straight season. Graves was also a standout catcher in softball, earning all-county first-team honors.
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Editor's note: Over the coming weeks TopSports.news will take a look at all of the senior finalists for the 2025-2026 Shawnee County High School Sports Awards from the fall, winter and spring seasons, followed by the athletes of the year for all three seasons and the overall outstanding girls and boys athletes of the year.
Brody Anderson, Seaman
BRODY ANDERSON | Seaman
SPORT: Cross Country
A first-team All-Shawnee County pick in all three years he ran cross country, Anderson won his second straight city and United Kansas Conference individual titles last fall and was a Class 5A regional runnerup. He also won the prestigious Olathe Twilight Invitational, finishing ahead of runners from over 50 schools from multiple states. Anderson won the 5A 800 meters title in track while finishing second in the 3,200 and 1,600 meters.
Camden Granado, Shawnee Heights
CAMDEN GRANADO | Shawnee Heights
SPORT: Soccer/Football
Granado, a forward, was named the United Kansas Conference soccer player of the year last fall while also earning All-City first-team honors. A second-team All-State selection, Granado finished his career as Shawnee Heights soccer's all-time leading goal scorer. The T-Bird standout doubled up in football, handling place-kicking duties for Heights and earning All-Shawnee County honorable mention.
Connor Hanika, Hayden
CONNOR HANIKA | Hayden
SPORT: Football
Hanika, a quarterback, helped lead the 12-1 Wildcats to their third straight Class 3A state championship game. Hanika completed 116 of 192 passing attempts on the season for 1,810 yards and 24 touchdowns and added 138 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 21 carries. Hanika was also a standout for Hayden's basketball team and helped lead the Wildcats to a runnerup finish in the Class 4A state baseball tournament.
Dayne Johnson, Silver Lake
DAYNE JOHNSON | Silver Lake
SPORT: Football
Johnson, a wide receiver/defensive back, was an All-Shawnee County Top 22 repeat selection in 2025 after catching 75 passes for 1,053 yards and eight touchdowns and registering 59 tackles with two pass interceptions. Johnson, who earned first-team All-Big East League recognition on offense and second-team honors on defense in football, also helped lead the Eagles to a third-place Class 3A state finish in basketball and a runnerup finish in 3A baseball.
Brooks Kehoe, Washburn Rural
BROOKS KEHOE | Washburn Rural
SPORT: Cross Country
A three-time All-Shawnee County first-team honoree, Kehoe helped lead Washburn Rural to the Class 6A state team championship by a single point. Kehoe was the Centennial League champion, placed second in the city meet, 19th in Class 6A regional competition and 25th at state. Kehoe, who helped the Junior Blues win city and league titles and finish second in a tiebreaker at regionals, finished as the 6A runnerup in the 1,600-meter run in track.
